The Blog

Taxi Clarification

The Disability Society has today met with the head of the Gibraltar Taxi
Association and have been assured that there is no new policy regarding
independent wheelchair users requiring carers to travel in adapted
taxis. We understand that this matter was raised on social media and we
are happy to clarify the situation.

Taken from the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Janet Deborah BORASTERO Chairperson of the Gibraltar Disability Society also receives an MBE for services to the disabled community in Gibraltar Debbie Borastero is recognised for an exceptional and sustained contribution to disabled people in Gibraltar through her 21 years of voluntary involvement with the Gibraltar Disability Society. As a leader, advocate and practitioner, Ms Borastero has transformed the scope, proficiency and compassion with which Gibraltar thinks, respects and acts regarding disability. She has championed the advance of law, shaped Health Authority policy and opened the door to dignity and hope for some of the most disenfranchised members of Gibraltarian society. Due to Ms Borastero’s significant efforts over many years, a generation of Gibraltarians have been increasingly freed from being defined by their disability. On learning of her award, Debbie Borastero said “I am very honoured to receive such recognition from Her Majesty. I must thank the Committee of the Gibraltar Disability Society, our members and their families and especially my children for their support. It must never be forgotten that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and equality regardless of their ability.”

GOG and Unite press release on Supported Employment

The Disability Society welcomes the recent press release from the Government and Unite the union regarding their agreement to review Supported Employment (link below). The promise that employees on the scheme will achieve equalisation of terms and conditions with the placement employer is long overdue and something the Society has been calling for for many years.
Unfortunately to say that the scheme has been successful since 2011 is an erroneous statement. The Society has raised its concerns about the failure of the Government’s Supported Employment Company on many occasions. The Government and Union say they have agreed to explore the possibility of extending the scheme to support other disadvantaged groups. The Society therefore hopes that there is now real resolve on the part of Government to make the necessary changes to bring about successful supported employment in Gibraltar.

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/press-releases/supported-employment-scheme-733a2019-5340

RADAR Keys in Gibraltar

The Disability Society welcomes the introduction of a system, along the lines of that long used in UK, that allows the use of public accessible toilet faciliites 24 hours a day. The Society is however concerned that only one toilet will be used to pilot the scheme (market place) and would suggest perhaps the toilet at the Piazza should also be part of the pilot scheme. Below are the links to the press release, information booklet and application form.

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/…/docume…/equality/732-2019.pdf

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/uploads/documents/equality/RADAR%20Key%20Info%20Booklet.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2fkLtpKnpjS3A8e9CtvmHDmL_c6S-n1fz_0PQ3znyFLnw8Zql48-1oTro

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/uploads/documents/equality/RADAR%20KEY%20APPLICATION%20FORM.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3duyFzbpLuraXKpFIG3vmklFABDg1-timibXAl6C9zYFpx2smUr2vwUiE

St Jospeh’s First School fundraiser

A huge thank you to St Joseph’s First School for the wonderful donation of £800. In lieu of sports day a week of activities was held to raise money for charity. Such was the success of the fundraising four charities were chosen by the children themselves to receive donations. A presentation was held at the school where the children sung a lovely version of their school song. Well done to all concerned 🙂

Ministry of Equality launches disability information card

THE GIBRALTAR DISABILITY SOCIETY WISH LIST 2019

Unfortunately there are a number of points on our wish list that have remained outstanding over the last several years!

 Supported Employment

Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities obligates States parties to recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others

• Although the Government introduced Supported Employment Co Ltd it no longer functions and exists in name only. It needs to be restructured with trained HR staff to UK National Occupied Standards. Government need to recognise that Supported Employment, when run in the correct manner, results in persons with disabilities being employed by their employer and not supported “ad infinitum” by the Government.
• We would also like to see a supported internship programme.
• Social insurance contributions towards pension entitlement for workers on the scheme.

Independent Inspections

• A statutory body should be introduced to monitor and audit all areas of the disability and care services. It is imperative that this should be independent of Government and preferably from outside Gibraltar.

 Disability Legislation

• The Disability Bill Act was legislated in 2017. The Society wishes Government to further build on this. The Disability Society calls for the Gibraltar Government to request that the United Kingdom ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on behalf of Gibraltar.

 Continuity of Care and Staffing of the Disability Services

• The policy of Government to offer short term contracts and the necessity to reside in Gibraltar, which excludes many people with a vocation to work within the disability services, should be abolished.
• Less reliance by Government on agency workers. More permanent staff should be employed to ensure quality continuity of care which is paramount to service users.
• If private agency supply workers are hired they must be trained and inducted to the same degree as Care Agency workers.

St Bernadette’s Resource Centre

• There is a pressing need to expand St Bernadette’s due to the increased number of users. With over 70 pupils in St Martin’s, leading to a new school being built, future planning by the Government is essential.
• The Disability Society proposes possible relocation to the existing fire station should this become available in the not too distant future. Should this not become available in the short term we suggest moving the Dr Giraldi Home, which is above St Bernadette’s, to suitable purpose built flats within the community such as those built for the elderly. This could include flats which can be used to offer a new respite service that provides a skills pathway into supported independent living.

• Better provision must be made for the different age groups. This could be achieved by the aforementioned expansion and should include a transition unit for new arrivals.
• Centre should open at least one evening a week to provide leisure facilities to its users and the community

Dr Giraldi Home

• As stated above this could possibly be relocated suitable purpose built flats in the community to allow the expansion of St Bernadette’s Resource Centre onto two floors if relocation of the Centre to the existing fire station is not possible.

 Future planning for persons with disabilities

• Information on Disability Action Plan talked about in the 2011 manifesto
• Community Care for persons with disabilities as promised in 2011 manifesto

Education

• Transition facilities at the Gibraltar College including supported internships for young people with special educational needs. This is particularly important considering the number of pupils at present receiving support in mainstream education.

Supported Independent Living

• Commitment to give disabled persons the right to live independently in their own home with as much care and support as is necessary. Not wait for the death of a parent to offer such independence.
• Disabled persons to retain tenancy of family home on the death of last surviving parent should they still be living within the family home. All necessary care and support to be provided to allow them to continue to live in the community.

Gibraltar Health Authority

• After consultation with the Disability Society and other support groups a flagging system was introduced by the GHA. Unfortunately the one size fits all system that was introduced has proved not fit for purpose. A review of the system is necessary to include a priority timescale and a system to add those who have been overlooked.
• A system must be introduced by the GHA that allows adolescents with profound disabilities to be dealt with on a case by case basis rather than on an age basis when it is necessary to be admitted to St Bernard’s Hospital.
• It may not always be possible to persuade a person with learning disabilities to attend a particular medical appointment. This must be taken into consideration when a new appointment is necessary and the person not be forced to begin the referral process back from the beginning.

 Increase support from Government

• More help provided from Housing for families who have a family member who is born or becomes disabled. A parent may have to give up work to provide care for their disabled family member and therefore can no longer afford to pay a mortgage. If they have to go back on the housing list it should be with all entitlements.
• Introduction of financial aid for families whose need to adapt a private property due to a family member being born or becoming disabled.
• Government departments such as GHA, Social, Housing, Education and Employment, still need to work more closely to ensure a smooth transition for persons with disabilities throughout their lives.
• Government should appoint a working party to examine the effectiveness of Government departments and how this can be improved.

Accessibility, Services and Transport

• The existing programme of making all official buildings accessible should be accelerated and a commitment to make this happen by the end of 2020.
• To amend the Equal Opportunity Act to end discrimination against disabled persons in respect of services.
• Better policing of disability parking bays now that our request for increased fines for illegal parking within a demarcated disability parking bay and misuse of the disabled parking blue badge has been fulfilled.
• Expansion of wheelchair accessible taxi fleet with a commitment of 50% accessibility by end of 2020 and 90% by 2025.
• Ensure at least 25% of coaches are wheelchair accessible by end of 2020. This will be a benefit not only for locals but for tourists as several tourist sites are now disability friendly.

Gibraltar Hearing Issues and Tinnitus Association

ADDITIONAL TRANSPORT FOR GIBRALTAR CALLING, ANDREA BOCELLI AND MONKEY ROCKS CONCERTS

As a result of further discussions between the Gibraltar Taxi Association and Gibraltar Calling Event Organisers a bespoke taxi service has been agreed to support Gibraltar Calling, Andrea Bocelli and Monkey Rocks musical events. Persian Rose 22 seater coaches will also support the transport operation, which will assist with the high volume of ticket holders required to be transported to and from the event.
The event organiser would also like to inform the Public that persons in possession of a disabled blue badge will be allowed access in their vehicle to be dropped off and picked up in a pre-identified location next to the Nun’s Well area. Some will be able to park there but on a first come first serve basis. Further arrangements have been made for transport from Mount Alvernia to the venue.
Stewards will be able to help any person who need assistance. The event organisers say they will work towards ensuring that access is afforded to all.