The Disability Bill, a new piece of legislation modelled on the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has been published by Equality Minister Samantha Sacramento.
The Minister has revealed that it shall be referred to as Agnes’ Law, in memory of the late Agnes Valarino, former Chairperson of the Disability Society.
The Disability Bill upholds and safeguards the dignity of people with disabilities by setting new standards on how the Government and the private sector ensure their rights are protected and promoted. Once the Bill becomes law, public bodies and private institutions in Gibraltar charged with the development of any policy or programme will be obliged to have regard to the rights of people with disabilities.
The Minister says implementation will be fully supported by training and awareness which will be carried out within the public sector and will also be offered to the private sector.
The Committee would like to thank Minister Sacramento and the Ministry of Equality for hosting an evening reception to honor the present and past committee members on the 50th Anniversary of the Society. For it to coincide with International Day for People with Disbilities was particuarly pertinent. Over the past fifty years the Society has be instrumental in bringing to Gibraltar inclusive education, a social security allowance for disabled persons, respite for families in need, a year round service at St Bernadettes Resource Centre and supported independent living within the community. We continue to lobby towards the introduction of legislation to protect the rights of disabled persons in Gibraltar and the promotion of sustainable supported employment. The Society would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those from the public and private sector who have supported and continue to support recerus over the years.
