I wanted to comment on Salambander's post, but it seems I was denied by MyDL.  It seems I am forced to write an anti-post about Discrimination against persons with disabilities ( PWDs ). 

The device she was talking about gives paraplegics the ability to walk using crutches and climb stairs as well.  Neat, really neat.  It only costs about $20 000, so I would not hold my breath as to seeing paraplegics all over rising out of their chairs.  That is not the main problem with that posting.

What really ticks me off is how this author can seemingly joke about discrimination about disability.  When last did the author spend at least 24 in a wheelchair?  Other options would be being blindfolded or putting industrial ear plugs in the ears.  Point is that discrimination against persons with disabilities occurs every day and should not be taken lightly.

A national example is the public transport system.  When last did you see a persons with a wheelchair on a bus.  How about one getting out of a taxi.  Maybe a blind person?  No?  That is because our NATIONAL transport system is not accessible even though it is against the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.  Without transport, persons with disabilities cannot access education.  Without education, PWD cannot empower themselves to find employment.  But without transport, they cannot access employment anyway!  Without transport, PWD cannot access society.  Even with transport, the built environment in South Africa is up to nuggets.  Only the most expensive building complexes will come close to accessibility, but more often than not this is inadequate.

As a man, I would not joke the empowerment of women, because there is an actual need for the advancement of this group.  So it is with persons with disabilities. 

Please be a bit more sensitive about this issue.  The road to social integration is long and hard and far from over.  Please don't make it more difficult.