As the country joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Disability Day‚ the African Christian Democratic Party has called on the government to approve and implement the Special Housing Needs Programme Policy (SHNPP) which directly impacts on people with disabilities.

“The rapid approval and implementation of the SHNP policy is of the utmost importance to allow existing facilities to improve their services and also for new facilities to be developed.

“It will enable non-profit organisations to apply for capital from the Department of Human Settlements to provide suitable housing opportunities for those with special needs‚” the ACDP’s Cheryllyn Dudley said on Thursday.

The proposed amendments were approved seven months ago but‚ disturbingly‚ nothing further had happened‚ she said.

“This delay is causing unnecessary suffering since the funds are available and just need to be approved as promised.”