By Neftaly Malatjie, Chief Legal Officer, SayPro
Good [morning/afternoon], everyone.
Today, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025, we reaffirm a truth that sits at the heart of both our mission and our legal obligations: Accessibility is a right, not a privilege.
As SayPro’s Chief Legal Officer, I have the responsibility—and the honor—of ensuring that we are not only compliant with laws and regulations, but aligned with the deeper principles of justice, equity, and inclusion.
Accessibility is not just a matter of policy or preference. It is embedded in international human rights law, national legislation, and, increasingly, in the expectations of the communities and markets we serve. But more than that—it reflects who we are and what we stand for as an organization.
Over the past year, SayPro’s legal and compliance teams have worked tirelessly to make that commitment real:
- We conducted a comprehensive legal audit of our policies and contracts, identifying and removing barriers to inclusion across operations, partnerships, and procurement.
- We have built accessibility clauses into our vendor agreements and service contracts, ensuring that everyone we do business with is held to the same standard of equity.
- And we have developed an internal accessibility compliance framework, training staff across departments on legal requirements like the ADA, the UNCRPD, and national accessibility standards relevant to every market we serve.
But legal compliance is only the floor—not the ceiling.
Today, I want to speak not just about what the law requires, but what leadership demands.
That’s why I’m proud to announce three legal and ethical priorities that will guide our path forward:
- Accessible Policy Design
We will ensure that all internal policies—from HR to IT to customer service—are reviewed and updated with accessibility and inclusivity at their core, not as an afterthought. - Rights-Based Training & Advocacy
We’re launching a legal education series across SayPro to help employees understand accessibility not just as compliance—but as a rights-based, justice-oriented commitment. - Proactive Legal Leadership
We will continue engaging with global policymakers, regulators, and advocacy groups to help shape forward-looking, inclusive legislation and promote harmonized global standards.
On this GAAD 2025, I want to make something clear: compliance alone is not enough. True accessibility means removing barriers before they cause harm, designing inclusively from the start, and championing the dignity and autonomy of every person.
As legal professionals, we are stewards of both risk management and rights protection. And at SayPro, we will continue using the law as a tool for empowerment, equity, and progress.
To our teams, our partners, and the communities we serve—thank you for holding us to a higher standard.
Together, let’s keep building a world where accessibility is not just something we do—it’s who we are.
Thank you.
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