The Disability Society calls upon the Government to reverse its decision not to renew the 11 month contracts of carers in the disability services. The Society will go further and ask Government to make those who have been on these rolling contracts for several years to be have their contracts made permanent. This is an exceedingly worrying situation not only for the Society but also the families of the service users. The Society has always voiced the view that continuity of care, and this importantly includes staff, is key to the care of its members and their safety and wellbeing. We also understand that experts brought in by the Government also advise continuity of care which includes staff members. Service users, particularly those who are non verbal or have trouble expressing themselves clearly, require staff who have come to understand, over long periods of time, their needs. Working with disabled people, particularly those with learning disabilities, is a vocation and not just a job. The decision to make such a huge change in staff, particularly non renewal of contracts of those who have been there for a number of years, without consultation from those involved be it service users, family members or the Disability Society is not acceptable. The Dr Giraldi Home and St Bernadettes Resource Centre are at the core of the services for the disabled. These services are for those who are truly the most vulnerable people in our society yet all management are still only acting in their positions. This begs the question of why Government, who have had at least two years, have not made any of these positions permanent. The Society does not only care about the service users but also the staff of these services. Without many of these good staff members there will be no “good” service. At present the Society detects a sense of concern amongst those who work in the services. If contracts are not permanent, despite many years of proving oneself to be a good carer, positions remain acting over a long period of time, the concern and unease that the staff begin to feel will be manifested onto the service users.
The Society therefore calls upon the Government to refrain from ultimately dismissing carers by refusing to renew their contracts as many of those carers affected are held in high esteem by not only the service users themselves but by their families.
Dear Parents,
After much consideration and discussion the committee has unfortunately made the decision to cancel its annual children’s Christmas party. Due to the growing number of disabled children and their siblings the party has become too large, not only financially, but in the amount of time needed to cater present wise for each individual child.
The committee has therefore decided to hold a party, possibly in January 2015 (this will be confirmed at a later date), which will consist of party food and drink and entertainment for all the children rather than individual presents.
The Committee hopes that you understand why we have had to make this decision. We will let you know as soon as possible details of the new party and look forward to seeing you all.
Best regards
The Committee
The Gibraltar Disability Society
The Chairman of the Dr Giraldi Home Inquiry, Sir Jonathan Parker, has now completed a draft of his final report following last year’s month long hearing. Sir Jonathan has been drafting his report into the issues raised at the Inquiry, including allegations of “mismanagement, misconduct and malpractice, including abuse” at the Dr Giraldi Home, since the conclusion of the final hearing last December. The Chairman explained at the time that anyone who provided evidence to the Inquiry and who was singled out for adverse criticism in the report will be given an opportunity to respond before the document is made public That stage has now been reached, and letters are being sent to relevant persons inviting responses and/or comments by no later than the end of October. The Chairman will consider any such responses or comments before finalising the Report and presenting it to the Government as required by the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
We have received the following announcement from the Gibraltar Hearing Impaired and Tinitus Association. Well done Leisure Cinemas.
“We have the pleasure to inform all our members that as part of the improvements at Leisure Cinemas, subtitles on movies will be possible thanks to the use of state of the art electronic viewing glasses that will be given to the customer on request (pending availability due to demand) at no extra charge.”
Francesca Martinez, tv personality, comedian, author and disability rights activist performed her wonderful comedy show at the Sunborn Hotel last Friday 11th July. Francesca has cerebral palsy but prefers to describe herself as “wobbly” and is best known for her stand up comedy work and acting. Her show was a mix of comic and thought provoking annecdotes about her life growing up with a disability. Minister for the Opposition Damian Bossino was even persuaded to take part in one sketch on stage which caused much merriment amongst the audience. Ms Martinez followed her show with a question and answer session and a book signing at which she spent time chatting and meeting audience members. The show was a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. The Society would like to congratulate the Equality Rights Group for organising such a wonderful event and the Gibraltar Government and the Sunborn Hotel who’s sponsorship allowed this to take place.
The Ministry for Culture informs us that the outdoor area for the disabled at the GASA pool is now open for the summer season. There is still ongoing work being done to the new public facility next door but the shaded area has been finished first to allow pass holders to start enjoying the summer.
Congratulations to Janine Gaduzo, a wonderful OT, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queens birthday honours list this year for services to improving the lives of special needs children and their families in Gibraltar. Well deserved.
“Gibraltar Pride 2014” will celebrate the togetherness we enjoy in Gibraltar along with our diversity and equality. Our vision is to include at various events as many different sectors of the community as possible, in a celebration for all, that places Gibraltar on the map as an example of a community that co-exists with strong ties and solidarity. Our events will be focused not on measures which may contribute to greater isolation but, rather, to greater togetherness. We want to make this a celebration of our individualities whilst embracing and sharing pride in our older generations, our physically and mentally challenged citizens, our young, our diverse cultures, our ethnic groups, our LGBT communities, our different faiths, and other sectors who may wish to come forward to celebrate in peace and understanding. With the aim of not only reinforcing cohesion, we move forward with optimism on openly having fun under the slogan ‘We Are One!’ In July there will be a series of events taking place under the “We Are One” banner, which will lead up to a main public event on Saturday 12th July which is the start of Summer Nights. The Ministry of Culture has awarded “Gibraltar Pride 2014” the right to co-host the first summer night event with the theme of “Diversity and Equality – We are One”. We will mark the start of Summer Nights with a proud Gibraltarian Street Parade from Piazza at 20:15, to which we invite you to join us and participate in. Together we will march towards Casemates showing our pride, sharing our awareness, and demonstrating our togetherness.
We would like to extend a formal invitation to all your members to formally join as in the parade and respective public event.
Participants in the parade will need to assemble at Piazza between 19:30 and 20:00, ready for a 20:15 start. We would be delighted to count on your participation joined together with family and friends. The evening at Casemates will then guarantee an entertaining array of performances that will appeal to all ages whilst capturing the diversity we find in a civil and modern society like Gibraltar. For this event there will seating areas in Casemates for less mobile members of our community and also access to viewing areas for wheelchair users. There are other events planned and we will keep everyone informed via the media and in particular our Facebook page which we invite you to “like”.
We are also delighted to announce that Francesca Martinez, highly acclaimed tv personality, comedian, author and disability rights activist will be performing in Gibraltar on the 11th July 2014 as part of “Gibraltar Pride 2014”. Francesca will be bringing to Gibraltar her well known comedy show “What The **** Is Normal?!” which will take place at 22:00 in the Aurora Ballroom onboard the Sunborn Hotel. Information regarding tickets will be made available over the forthcoming weeks.
The Gibraltar Disability Society was honoured today, 14th May 2014, to be awarded The Independent Civil Society Award. This award was given by the Equality Rights Group . The award was given “in recognition of the tenacious and long-standing work of the Society in often difficult but necessary lobbying for improved rights and adequate legislation in the general raising of awareness in favour of a Gibraltar in which we are all treated equally”. The Society would like to thank Felix Alvarez, who presented the award, and the Equality Rights Group for recognising the work that the Society does and has done as a non governmental organisation. A posthumous award was also given to our late Chairwoman Mrs Agnes Valarino in recognition of her pioneering disability-centred work. This award was proudly collected by her eldest son Bernard Valarino on behalf of her family who attended the presentation. Agnes served for many years as chairwoman and the committee continues her fight to introduce legislation to protect the rights of the disabled in Gibraltar and to further improve, in what ever way we can, the lives of our disabled members and their families.
Autism Support Gibraltar are very pleased to announce that we are hosting the first conference of its kind here in Gibraltar, designed specifically for the sole benefit of parents, carers and family members of people in Gibraltar with Autism.
This conference is a full day event and will take place on Thursday the 15th May, from 9:00 till 4:30, at the Eliott O’Callaghan Hotel (Lunch and tea breaks provided).
The three speakers whom we are bringing over from UK are experienced professionals in their respective fields, and have compiled talks relevant to individuals living with a loved one with ASD. There will also be an opportunity for parents to ask the panel for advice on specific issues they may be having.
The conference is titled “Positive About Autism”. It is being sponsored by the Kusuma Trust and various local supportive companies.
Entrance is free of charge, however seats must be reserved beforehand. In order to assist us in booking your place please contact us on 54019528 or e-mail autismsupport@gibtelecom.net
For any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.