These words by former President Mandela remain true today. People with disabilities face the stiffest opposition to socioeconomic participation more than any other section of our population. The many challenges faced by people with disabilities include lack of access to economic opportunities, transport, education and health services, including assistive devices. We still have cases of discrimination and violation of the rights of people with disabilities. To respond to these challenges the department will focus on improving access to education through the promotion of the inclusive education policy. We have to promote the integration of children with special needs into the mainstream school, while acknowledging that children with severe disabilities will still need special schools.