Johannesburg: A Johannesburg-based research study on poverty and disability had found that despite governmental commitments to the human rights of people with disabilities, most remain poor, are less educated and are not enable to earn a livelihood.

The Johannesburg Poverty and Disability study conducted by the Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA), a collaborative effort with the United Kingdom Department for International Development, revealed that 82% of all unemployed South Africans are people with disabilities.

The study aims to contribute to policy debates in South Africa in order to provide evidence to ensure that people living with disabilities are afforded better service and access to opportunities, thus strengthening their livelihoods.

"Consequently, people with disabilities still experience discrimination and are pushed to the margins of society", says Lauren Graham, a researcher at UJ's CSDA. "Contrary to popular beliefs that disabled live on social grants, the study found that 61% of the respondents interviewed in eight of the poorest wards in Johannesburg are not accessing the disability grant.

Some of the reasons were due to a lack of knowledge of the grant, how and where to apply, a lack of identity documents and some earned slightly above the income threshold. This led to despondency due to the red tape involved and being treated insensitively. One of the respondents said that he gave up and "I will not go back there again"".

Dr Rowland, a disability right activist and contributing researcher to the study added that the high rate of HIV/AIDS has resulted in a rapid increase in the number of people accessing the disability grant. "Since there is no support for people with chronic illnesses, the disability grant provides a valuable means of support to those in need. It however also places pressure on the social grants system."

According to Graham, the study is revealing the varying impacts of poverty and the effect poor living conditions have on people's health and quality of life."Lack of capability to earn a livelihood is largely due to the lack of skills, support with micro enterprises, barrier free access and a lack of accessible transport.

Many respondents reported that although they do not work outside the home, they provide care for children and other members of the household such as the elderly and the sick. Limited work opportunities and discrimination in the labour market were other factors that hampered their access to employment. For those not employed they expressed great frustration with their lack of capability to secure a livelihood," says Graham.

The study also found that family members are people with disabilities greatest support. However, it the study clearly underline the important role government should play by assisting with education and skills development; make the grant more accessible; ensure barrier free access; support micro enterprise development and step up access to employment opportunities.