The committee would like to thank all the volunteers on flag day and also all those who generously contributed on the day. A wonderfrul £1,216.28 was raised.
The Gibraltar Disability Society has applied and been granted legal expenses funding to appoint a legal representative so that it may have its own voice during the Dr Giraldi public inquiry. The Society felt this was necessary in order to have the ability to make legal representations on points or issues raised during the proceedings should it consider that doing so would be in the best interests of its individual members and that of the wider disabled community. The Society will be represented by Anne Balestrino of Phillips Barristers and Solicitors.
The Gibraltar Disability Society requested at today’s hearing anonymity for service users/residents. We have been informed that the inquiry would try their very best to avoid any names of residents appearing. Residents is the term the Chairman has requested is used rather than service users which includes persons using the facilities for respite or temporary living. He requested the press to do likewise and transcribers to use initials rather than names. We shall ask that when the hearing starts this be extended to anyone in the public gallery for reporting/mentioning of purposes during proceedings.
The Society also requested that the word “inappropriate” was stuck off before the word “punishment” in the “List of Issues” so therefore the inquiry will now investigate any punishment.
For the information of our members below are details of the available services and equipment at our beaches. This has been provided in a press release from the Government today.
1. Pergolas providing an area for assistance with transfers to amphibious beach equipment.
2. New ramps at Camp Bay and Catalan Bay.
3. The ramps at Eastern Beach have been reconditioned.
4. Accessibility to the sea is available from the pergola to the shoreline at Eastern Beach.
5. The accessible toilets and changing facilities at Eastern Beach and Camp Bay have been modified to accommodate an overhead hoist tracking system. At Camp Bay the premises have also been enlarged in order to comply with building regulations.
6. At Catalan Bay a new accessible ramp has been built to connect the car park to the village.
7. Boulders and rocks have been cleared from the shoreline at Camp Bay.
The following are being addressed:
1. Each pergola at the beaches will have a mobile hoist in order to enable transfers. These will be in place with extra chairs to complement this in the next fortnight.
2. Improvements to accessibility to the sea will soon be installed from each pergola to the shoreline. This will be available in the first week of July.
3. Electronically adjustable beds for adults will shortly be installed in the accessible facilities at Eastern Beach and Camp Bay. These should be in place early next week.
4. A fully accessible toilet facility has been provided at Western Beach, which will be fully operational this weekend.
The Government has sent the following press release reference tourist sites in Gibraltar.
The first phase of Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar’s programme to carry out improvements to the tourism product has come to fruition. Works have already been completed at the Great Siege Tunnels, Moorish Castle, the 100 Ton Gun exhibition, St Michael’s Cave, Jews’ Gate, Apes’ Den, the Gibraltar Cruise Terminal and Waterport Fountain along with minor works at other locations. In particular, attention has been given to providing enhanced or new accessible facilities. This has included the refurbishment and provision of toilet facilities and improved access at St Michael’s Cave, including, the provision of a specialised lift at the new entrance to enable guests to view the Cave from the first landing. The Gibraltar Tourist Board has also introduced a portable induction loop system to assist visitors with hearing aids and is now also looking at providing enhancements for visitors with impaired vision. These initiatives will be of obvious benefit to tourists but, in line with Government’s policy, the improvements will also provide a more inclusive and accessible environment for members of our own community. Commenting on the improvements, The Hon Neil Costa MP, Minister for Tourism, Commercial Affairs, Public Transport and the Port said: “Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar has, in a relatively short period of time, brought new and much needed improvements to the tourism product. This first phase is a testament to the clear commitment of the Government to tourism and to investment in the product. These improvements, along with the Gibraltar Tourist Board’s constant drive to pursue other product improvements and to market Gibraltar effectively, will no doubt contribute to the confidence in Gibraltar’s tourism industry. I am delighted at the results of this first phase and look forward to the next set of improvements which will materialise this year. All those involved have worked very hard to bring these projects to fruition and I am extremely grateful for their efforts. I would, however, like to single out Dylan Sheriff, Alain Gatt, Suyenne Catania and the Upper Rock team of the GTB who have worked tirelessly on these projects.”
The Government has announced disabled access to several beaches for this summer season. Beaches now accessible include Eastern Beach, Catalan Bay, Camp Bay and Western Beach. This is very welcome to all those in our community with limited mobility. As members maybe aware the Eastern Beach project for the disabled was initiated in 2009 by a very generous and anonymous donation given to the Gibraltar Disability Society. This donation was given specifically for use toward a project to allow access to Eastern beach for people with disabilities. This was a new concept in Gibraltar and there were teething problems, as with all new projects, to try and find the right equipment and location on the beach. It became apparent after a couple of summer seasons that there were issues that needed to be addressed. It was then that the Society wrote to the Care Agency with the suggestion that a project at Camp Bay for those with wheelchairs may allow more independence with its concreted areas. If that was not possible then perhaps an area could be improved at Eastern Beach. This season, however, it is with great pleasure that the Society welcomed the expansion, by the Government, of the beach accessibility project to all the main beaches in Gibraltar. Congratulations to all those involved in the planning and carrying out of the works in time for this summer season.
Today, Samantha Sacramento, Minister for Equality, Social Services and the Elderly
presented some of the service users from St Bernadette’s Resource Centre with a
Cycling Proficiency Award.
The Cycling Proficiency programme has been run in conjunction with the Royal
Gibraltar Police. Service users at St Bernadette’s have been participating in cycling
sessions for the past two years. Training has taken place on a weekly basis and
includes road safety, space awareness and motor skills. The sessions were based at
St Anne’s Middle School and facilitated by PC 178 Martinez.
This project has been made possible due to the donation of bicycles and helmets
from NatWest Bank as well as the Disability Society. Another specialised tricycle will
be purchased from funds that were raised from the art exhibition at Sacarello’s.
“St Bernadette’s continues to improve the programme of events the centre offers to
its service workers. This training has been thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who
participated, some of whom had never ridden a bicycle before. The Royal Gibraltar
Police have been very dedicated in providing this service and we are grateful to
NatWest and the Disability Society for providing funds to purchase the tricycles,” said
Samantha Sacramento Minister for Equality, Social Services and the Elderly.
Present at the event were Samantha Sacramento Minister for Equality, Social Services and the Elderly,
Chief Inspector Isaac Massias, PC 178 Martinez and Maribel Burgos Wilson, St
Bernadette’s Manager.