The Gibraltar Disability Society was invited to meet with Chief Minister Mr Fabian Picardo at No 6 last week to discuss the Disability Legislation Bill. Also present was Minister Samantha Sacramento and Director of Equality Mr Albert Bruzon. The Society was assured by the Chief Minister that a second draft of the legislation, produced after the public consultation in October 2015, will be ready by the last week in October. Although there will be no second public consultation this draft will be presented to the GFBS, Chamber and the Society for consultation. It could be possible for changes to be made to this draft should any of these groups make a valid reason for any change. The Disability Society will, as it always has, make all possible effort to ensure that the rights of the disabled in our community is paramount. We have been assured that said legislation will be put before Parliament in the 3rd week of December 2016.
The Chairperson of the Gibraltar Disability Society, Mrs Debbie Borastero, recently raised the issue of the slow progress of the introduction of disability legislation directly with Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. In response to the question of why disability legislation has not been passed unlike other equality legislation the Chief Minister stated it was because of the ‘cost its introduction would bring about not only to the government but to private businesses’. The Society wrote to the Chief Minister to ask for clarification of this statement and received the following response: “we are making huge progress and expect to publish a further draft very shortly for consultation in particular with the GFSB and the Chamber. The reasoning behind the further circulation of drafts relate to the potential cost to business issue which we discussed. We want to get this right and don’t want the disabled to be seen as an ‘additional cost to business’. Hence wanting to get it right the first time.”
The Society is very discouraged by this reply although the honesty of the Chief Minister was appreciated. The Committee feel that at present it must refrain from making any further comment until a comparison can be made between the first draft, to which the Society was a “stakeholder” and was released for public consultation in October 2015, and any further drafts the Government release for public consultation. It is imperative that all those affected by disability issues or who are involved in disability issues participate fully in further public consultation. At the end of the day disability legislation must put the rights of the disabled in our community above all else.
Gibraltar Disability Society Bingo at the Admiral Casino
Wednesday 26th October – bingo starts 9.30pm
Price: £10 for 9 games
1st-8th Game prizes £20 for the first line and £75 for the house
9th Game prize £100 for the first line and £1,000 for the house
We have been provided with a number of tickets by the Casino which are now available from Angela on 57178000 or 20075210
A raffle will be held on the night for a prize draw before the last game
Please support as all proceeds go to the Disability Society
GIBRALTAR NATIONAL DAY EVENTS
Saturday 10th September 2016
The Self Determination for Gibraltar Group (SDGG) wishes to remind persons wanting a space at the wheelchair viewing platform or the stand for persons with a mobility disability that the closing date is Friday 26th August 2016.
Persons will be able to obtain tickets on a first come served basis by contacting the Gibraltar Cultural Services directly on telephone 20067236 before the 26th August 2016, to register and pick up their ticket. Ticket holders may be accompanied by one other person. Blue badge to be presented on collection of tickets. No tickets will be available on the 10th September.
On the 25th June Lindsay Davis bravely did her first skydive and in the process raised money for two local charities. The Disability Society wishes to thank Lindsay and all her sponsers for the wonderful donation of £570.00.
Thanks to all those who helped shake a tin on flag day and many thanks to all those who donated. We rasied a grand total of £897.77 and €39.00
In response to demand the Gibraltar Hearing Impaired & Tinnitus Association is planning to organise a British Sign Language introductory course. If you would like to take part please express your interest by emailing hit@gibtelecom.net
Please note this course was 2016. For more up to date information on Hearing Issues and Tinitus Association (GHITA) at www.ghita.gi
The Committee of the Gibraltar Disability Society would like to publicly thank Brit Group Services and their staff for the wonderful donations which were recently received. The Disability Society was one of ten charities nominated by staff members and was lucky enough to be chosen to receive a donation of £3,000 from their head office in UK. A further £530 was donated by the staff of Brit Insurance here in Gibraltar. The Disability Society is grateful to all those who raised such a generous amount and would once again like to thank all those involved.
The Department of Equality is introducing a series of lectures and seminars aimed at the private sector to show how an inclusive business can mean a more profitable business. The series will be called “Equality Means Business” and will commence with an awareness seminar and training workshop on accessibility to the physical environment.
As a matter of Government policy, every single new Government project is entirely accessible. The Government encourages the private sector to follow suit, and is looking to highlight the business case for doing so. The Department of Equality is fronting this with an awareness initiative with the aim that principles of inclusion and equality are embraced in both the private and public sectors. Accordingly, the Government wishes to assist in providing training and awareness on accessibility to buildings for the disabled and elderly.
The Department for Equality has organised two different seminars:
1. A seminar on how to make your premises accessible on Monday 30th November between 2pm-5pm at the O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel.
2. A 2 day, more in depth, training workshop from the 1st to 2nd December 2015 to be held at the University of Gibraltar on access audit training. A detailed outline of the training programme is available upon request.
Both the seminar and training sessions will be delivered by Ian Streets, Managing Director of
About Access Ltd. Mr Streets is no stranger to Gibraltar, having delivered some very successful
training sessions last year. He has been providing advice to clients in the UK on the Disability
Discrimination Act, Equality Act and access to buildings/sites for disabled persons. His clients
include both the national and local government in the UK, housing associations, national charities
and businesses. His work ranges from single site audits to portfolios with over 300 sites. A
regular part of his work includes preparing plan appraisals and advice to national/local
government bodies and businesses on policy relating to access.
To register contact: Tel: 20070112 E-mail mfess@gibraltar.gov.gi
