. The majority of submissions highlighted the link between poverty and the impact on persons with disabilities in terms of vulnerability, thus reiterating the importance of promoting economic empowerment. . The employment prospects in the open labour market for persons with disabilities were dismal in the country. This was attributed to a number of factors such lack of appropriate educational qualifications and skills; poor compliance of the 2% employment equity target in public and private sector; reasonable accommodation only partially implemented; lack of accessible transport and negative attitudes and stereotypes of employees who refuse to employ persons with disabilities and or a reluctance to enhance career paths for existing employees with disabilities. . In terms of entrepreneurship development, a lack of access to financial aid and business support impeded persons with disabilities from advancing in opportunities of the second economy insofar as small medium and micro enterprises are concerned. . Overall there appears to be very low levels of participation of persons with disabilities in the financial sector and formal economy with insufficient targeted investments focussed on persons with disabilities. An example cited was how the proudly South African campaign could potentially be incorporating persons with disabilities in terms of promoting South African products.