Lobbying disability in South Africa, 1994-2001 : a description of the activities of the disabled people South Africa (DPSA) in the policy-making process

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This research assignment is a detailed descriptive investigation of the lobbying roleplayed by the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) in the post-apartheid era in SouthAfrica. The period under investigation is 1994-2001.The focus is on the DPSA as a lobbyist attempting to influence policy in favour of thedisabled people in South Africa. In doing this, the study gives an overview of the threeimportant concepts in this study, namely policy-making, disability and lobbying. Thethree concepts are analysed and looked at particularly from a South Africa perspective.The study utilises different methods of data collection.Disabled people have a history of being exposed to discrimination. After 1994 SouthAfrica had a Constitution that outlawed such a practice against disabled people. SouthAfrica in its democracy has new policies that are different from the ones that weregoverning the country during the apartheid era. The DPSA, as an umbrella bodyrepresenting the disabled, now has to play a more effective role regarding the advocatingfor its members. Hence this study is conducted during the 1994-2001 period. The studymainly focuses on what and how the DPSA has tried to influence lobbying policy-makingin favour of the disabled.The conclusion of the study is that the DPSA has achieved success directly andindirectly. The DPSA has managed to playa significant role in the improvement of thelives of disabled people in South Africa. However, it is recommended that the DPSAshould make more efforts in addition to what has been done up to this far.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University