Our website was set up to keep our members informed of issues, events and work that the Disability Society is involved with. For this reason we are publishing a condensed version of a meeting that was held with the Minister for Equality Miss Samantha Sacramento last month. Those representing the Gibraltar Disability Society put forward several questions that it’s members have been seeking answers to. Other issues were also raised that were felt should be brought to the attention of Miss Sacramento. The Society would like to thank Miss Sacramento for the time she took to listen and discuss said issues.
Q. What is happening with the Legislation that the Government promised would be in place within the first twelve months of them being in office?
A. It is hoped that the Legislation will be in place within 3 months.
Q. What is happening with life plans for the disabled as proposed in the GSLP manifesto?
A. This is an ongoing process.
Q. What is happening with the Action plan that was proposed in the GSLP manifesto?
A. This is an ongoing process. At present Government is working on drawing up a register of disabled people in Gibraltar.
Q. What does Government propose to do about the need for respite for the families of younger children?
A. Policy needs to be drawn up so this issue can be addressed for all those in need.
Q. What is happening with regard to the GSLP manifesto statement on new estates and the provision of affordable housing for the disabled?
A. This is an issue for the housing department. However there is the possibility that there will be more flats made available for supported living in the community.
Q. What is happing with the promise in the GSLP manifesto with regard to the disabled over a certain age being entitled to household cost allowance. At present those who are of an age to qualify are not being given hca.
A. Minister will look into this issue.
Q. How are employment and training board trainees being introduced into the services for the disabled.
A. The trainees are interviewed by a panel before it is decided if they are suitable to work with people with disabilities.
Q. People who are trying to claim the disability allowance on behalf of their disabled child are being told that all applications are being put on a waiting list for a decision. This is because the Government wishes to convene a panel to process these claims. As this could take many months surely the system should continue the way it always has until said panel is set up.
A. Mr Bossano is in charge of payments from the social security department. Minister Sacramento will bring this issue to his attention.
Other issues brought to the Ministers attention were:
Permanently disabled people having problems with the process of renewing parking badges, frontier passes and E111’s. Perhaps the Minister could look into making the process easier for those who are severely disabled and whose condition is never going to get better. It was stated that this may be possible one the register of disabled persons is completed.
The concern by members of the Society that the public enquiry will not be making recommendations. The making of recommendations was the main reason members of the Society welcomed a public enquiry.
The issue raised by the parents of younger disabled children that St Martin’s school is not fit for purpose. It was suggested that perhaps a new school could be built, possible next to Notre Dame and the old school be refurbished and used for Early Birds Nursery which at present is not large enough for the number of children that need to attend. This matter will also be brought to the attention of the Department of Education.
Thanking the Minister for the provision of Makaton sign language classes for the parents of learning disabled children. Makaton must be continued as British Sign Language, which is used by the hearing impaired, is too complicated for those with a learning disability.
The Society would like to see the wall around the top of St Bernadettes/Dr Giraldi be made slightly higher with the placing of railing as it is felt that the present wall is a dangerous level.