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Disabled poser for World Cup

It was "highly unlikely" that the government and tourism industry would be ready to accommodate an estimated one million disabled visitors to the 2010 World Cup, a member of the Disability Empowerment Concerns Trust said yesterday.

It was "highly unlikely" that the government and tourism industry would be ready to accommodate an estimated one million disabled visitors to the 2010 World Cup, a member of the Disability Empowerment Concerns Trust said yesterday.

"I think it's highly unlikely unless the industry, the government and 2010 planners catch a big wake-up," said Fadila Lagadien, who is also a disability representative on the SABC board.

She estimated that about one million of the projected 10million 2010 visitors would be disabled.

They would need access to hotels, public buildings and stadiums, suitably trained hospitality staff and guides, space for their helpers and access to transport.

"Black empowerment and employment equity are wanting in tourism generally in South Africa, and disability empowerment and employment equity even more so," said Lagadien.

It is estimated that about seven million people - about 15 percent - of South Africa's population of 47million are disabled. - Sapa

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