To whom it may concern,
My name is Nicole BUCKLEY and I am a serving police officer for the Royal Gibraltar Police and have been now for almost 9 years. In March, it will be 4 of those years serving as a Police Dog Handler. I hold my ACPO License (Association of Chief Police Officers) and I am accredited with the NPCC (National Police Cheif’s Council)
I currently handle a 6 year old Czech-line German shepherd who is trained in general purpose services (person search, violent individuals, property search, human tracking, etc…)
I have for some time now taken a personal interest in the line of therapy dogs and AAT (animal assisted therapy) and have since sourced a personal therapy dog and will be training therapy techniques for the benefit of the community, focusing on Special needs, the elderly and any other persons who may benefit from such therapy techniques.
Therapy dogs can also be used in main stream schools do social activities, reading activities such as “reading 4 pets” an initiative I wish to commence which are sessions helping students for public speech, confidence in speaking, reading and expression amongst many other activities.
The end product will be a trained and certified therapy dog at the service of the community. (most to date are voluntary members of the public)
The therapy dog in question is a young female golden Labrador. The dog is yet in training but has been specially selected on qualities pertinent and vital to a therapy dog i.e. disposition, character, tolerance, etc… and above all, SAFETY, EFFICIENCY & CONTROL are guaranteed.
A mere email would not do my therapy dog justice to explain and promote her capabilities and therefore I politely and respectfully request a moment of your time to invite you and request the pleasure of your attendance along with any staff members or persons of your choice who may benefit from or wish to, attend.
The seminar is being held within the John Mac. Hall at 1800hrs on the 27th January 2017.
Please feel free to invite any person(s) you may feel would benefit from or would wish to attend, this seminar. It is free of charge.
My sincerest of thanks in advance.
Nicole Buckley
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.
Please read the attached press release regarding the introduction of the Disability Act and Building Rules. The Society encourages all local businesses to attend this worthwhile initiative which is sponsored by the Department of Equality. Advanced registration is required.
https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/…/Press%20Releases/647-2016.pdf
The Society will be holding its AGM on Wednesday 9th November at 8pm in the Lecture Room at the John Mac Hall. All members are welcome to attend.
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.