MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / South Africa reaffirms commitment to building an inclusive society

South Africa reaffirms commitment to building an inclusive society

South Africa reaffirms commitment to building an inclusive society

South Africa has reiterated its commitment to building an inclusive society, where everyone can participate and contribute through the National Strategic Framework on Universal Design and Access, a guiding tool aimed at ensuring accessibility for all.

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, made the commitment as the country joined the global community in observing Global Accessibility Awareness (GAAD) Day, on Thursday.

GAAD is an annual global observance held on the third Thursday of May, to raise awareness and promote the significance of digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Chikunga highlighted that, as digital transformation increases, particularly with the advancement of systems, like artificial intelligence (AI), it is becoming increasingly urgent to advocate for accessible web development, software design, policy-making, and everyday digital communication.

“This day will be used to emphasise and encourage everyone to engage with, think about, and learn about digital accessibility and inclusion for the 1 billion global community with disabilities and the 3.3 million persons with disabilities in South Africa,” Chikunga said.

While acknowledging AI technologies’ significant contribution to accessibility by providing features, including automatic captions, alternative text generation, and voice assistants, the Minister stressed the need for human oversight.

“These tools must be reviewed and validated by humans to prevent errors and ensure their relevance. Accessibility is a fundamental to Human Rights, promoting equal opportunities for persons with disabilities,” the Minister said.

She said the National Strategic Framework on Universal Design and Access is premised on the principle that universal design is not a compromise but a necessity.

The framework serves as a prescriptive guide for the promotion and eventual enforcement of universal design and access standards, using a disability inclusion perspective as its motivating force.

As part of its efforts, the department highlighted common digital accessibility barriers that can be addressed as quick wins, and these include: 
•    Poor Colour Contrast: Ensure text stands out against the background.
•    Missing Text: All meaningful images and links should include descriptive alt text.
•    Keyboard Navigation Gaps: All functionalities should be accessible via keyboard.
•    Lack of Focus Indicators: Let users know where they are on the page. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Fri, 05/16/2025 – 10:58

985 views

South Africa has reiterated its commitment to building an inclusive society, where everyone can participate and contribute through the National Strategic Framework on Universal Design and Access, a guiding tool aimed at ensuring accessibility for all.

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, made the commitment as the country joined the global community in observing Global Accessibility Awareness (GAAD) Day, on Thursday.

GAAD is an annual global observance held on the third Thursday of May, to raise awareness and promote the significance of digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Chikunga highlighted that, as digital transformation increases, particularly with the advancement of systems, like artificial intelligence (AI), it is becoming increasingly urgent to advocate for accessible web development, software design, policy-making, and everyday digital communication.

“This day will be used to emphasise and encourage everyone to engage with, think about, and learn about digital accessibility and inclusion for the 1 billion global community with disabilities and the 3.3 million persons with disabilities in South Africa,” Chikunga said.

While acknowledging AI technologies’ significant contribution to accessibility by providing features, including automatic captions, alternative text generation, and voice assistants, the Minister stressed the need for human oversight.

“These tools must be reviewed and validated by humans to prevent errors and ensure their relevance. Accessibility is a fundamental to Human Rights, promoting equal opportunities for persons with disabilities,” the Minister said.

She said the National Strategic Framework on Universal Design and Access is premised on the principle that universal design is not a compromise but a necessity.

The framework serves as a prescriptive guide for the promotion and eventual enforcement of universal design and access standards, using a disability inclusion perspective as its motivating force.

As part of its efforts, the department highlighted common digital accessibility barriers that can be addressed as quick wins, and these include: 
•    Poor Colour Contrast: Ensure text stands out against the background.
•    Missing Text: All meaningful images and links should include descriptive alt text.
•    Keyboard Navigation Gaps: All functionalities should be accessible via keyboard.
•    Lack of Focus Indicators: Let users know where they are on the page. – SAnews.gov.za

Watch a South Africa reaffirms commitment to building an inclusive society related video:

Stunning South Africa:

https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/A4U7UNQUCUI6ZIAZZMMTWKFKOM.jpg

Have you visited MyPR?

MyPR.co.za offers free to publish press releases for your news site, blog or offline publication. Use the handy REPUBLISH facility or the Full Text RSS Feeds or just copy and paste.

Straton Electrical | Straton Solar | Straton Prepaid | Straton Plumbing | Straton IoT | Straton eBikes | BA Systems | Mbane Contracting | Reach Trust

Category: Tag: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Re: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims Prize in Gqeberha

    Dear Editor This is indeed an exciting story for the community. Congratulations to the winner and may this bring positive change to Nomathamsanqa. As someone from KwaMashu, I understand the impact such winnings can have on township communities. Wishing the grandfather all the best. Regards Themba Zulu In Response to/From: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims…

  • Re: Minister Tolashe and Postbank Black Cards

    Dear Editor I appreciate the Minister’s assurance regarding the smooth transition to Postbank Black Cards for grant beneficiaries. As a concerned citizen, I hope the government will ensure that all beneficiaries, especially elderly and vulnerable populations in areas like Soweto, receive adequate assistance during this transition period. The expansion of card replacement locations to include…

  • Lotto Winner Story

    Dear Editor This is indeed an exciting story for the community. Congratulations to the winner and may this bring positive change to Nomathamsanqa. Regards Willem Pieterse In Response to/From: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims Prize in Gqeberha

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Fun South African Fact: It’s a holiday destination like no other! Looking for a beach holiday? South Africa has sunshine, sea and golden beaches. Seeking a safari adventure? South Africa is home to incredible wildlife and game reserves. Keen for an escape into wine country? South Africa’s Cape Winelands are waiting to be explored! On top of all of this, you can discover cosmopolitan cities and quaint seaside towns. Or, drive through breathtaking mountain passes and travel along dusty, desert roads.