GDA Priorities

 

The GDA has agreed four action areas, Access, Public Relations, Support and Services and legislation.  Within each action area the Alliance has selected one priority, these are;

 

Access:  Priority - Buildings and building control

The GDA has met with officers from Building Control. Andy Mauger from States building control made a presention to the group.  That meeting instigated the re-introduction of Dave Purdy's work where he reviews planning applications and inspects any which pertain to public buildings

The access group was recently invited to inspect the plans for the new Post Office in Smith street and were able to advise on a number of changes and additions to the plans.  Guernsey Post have promised to involve the group in future building projects.

 

PR:  Priority - Information for Deputies

Shelaine green is heading up this work and is developing a leaflet designed to influence and educate our Deputies about disability on Guernsey.

Support & Services:   - Priority Housing for young disabled people

Wendy Beaven is heading up this work and is currently in discussion with the Housing authority and HSSD.

 

Legislation:  Priority -  Commission report into disability in Guernsey

The GDA Chair is leadng this initiative to produce a report on disability on Guernsey.  This report is needed so that the group can properley prioritise its work and influence deputies to support the introduction of legislation to protect disabled people. An application has been submitted to a local charitable trust for a grant to commission this report.  A tender document has been produced and will invitations to tender will be advertised in the near future.

 

Other news

Representatives of the GDA met with the States Social Policy Group on 3rd October and delivered  robust presentation requesting that the States provide leadership, commitment and change. Specifically the GDA asked the SPG to commit to re-examing the States legislative priorities with a view to introducing disability discrimination legislation. The GDA requested the States commit to and sign the UN convention on the rights for people with disabilities. A commitiment to assist and support the GDA's research project was also requested.

Under the heading of leadership, the Alliance wants to see the States appoint a disability Champion and take a lead in the provision of information for disabled people.

Finally, the Alliance asked the States to commit to changing attitudes towards disability by commiting to on-going disability equality training for States employees and by producing a public awareness campaign. 

An official response is expcted shorty.

On Sunday 19th October, Guernsey Health Minister Hunter Adam took part in the BBC radio Guernsey phone in.  GDA Chairman Rob Platts posed the question "Why has Disability never been on the political agenda in Guernsey and what can be done to correct this?"  Within the Minister's response he stated that he agreed that disabled people deserved more support than was currently available and that he thought the GDA's idea of a States Disability Officer was worth pursuing.  The Minister promised to write to the ChiefMinister, Lyndon Trott, in support of this proposed appointment.  Deputy Janine le Sauvage also took part in the same program and was very supportive of the GDA's aims, promising also to write formally to the Health Minister to lend her support to the Disability Officer initiative.