The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the history, current status and possible future directions for intellectual disability (ID) policy and practice in South Africa (SA).,The paper was developed by academics and practitioners in the field of ID in SA. A review of the literature, accompanied by a joint writing and discussion process was carried out to identify critical issues in the development of ID services, specifically facing the challenge of moving from racially based provision towards equitable services for all citizens with ID.,Progressive policy has replaced practices of scientific racism which were previously used to support the establishment of white supremacism. This positive move is still in process and has not resulted in the immediate establishment of human rights. A vibrant civil society is engaging with this task currently.,The findings point to the need for a human rights approach that takes into account the postcolonial context of SA.,There is a need for continued advocacy that is inclusive of people with ID and their families.,Continuing engagement between government and civil society is recommended to ensure the achievement of human rights for citizens with ID.,This paper is of value to ID researchers and practitioners from the global South as it describes a non-western context that might have resonance with other low and middle income countries.

中文翻译：

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南非的智力障碍：民主权利的可能性和限制

本文的目的是概述南非 (SA) 智障 (ID) 政策和实践的历史、现状和未来可能的方向。本文由 ID 领域的学者和从业者开发在 SA。对文献进行了审查，同时进行了联合写作和讨论，以确定身份识别服务发展中的关键问题，特别是面临从基于种族的提供转向为所有身份识别公民提供公平服务的挑战。,渐进政策已经取代了以前用于支持建立白人至上主义的科学种族主义做法。这一积极举措仍在进行中，并没有导致立即确立人权。