Guernsey Disability Alliance member Shelaine Green said the decision to fund a disability officer was a very important one. (0677144)
GUERNSEY will have a disability officer, a domestic abuse strategy and a drug and alcohol strategy after two surprise amendments were approved by the States yesterday.
Representatives of the disabled community were clearly moved by the unanimous support the States gave Health minister Hunter Adam’s last-minute proposals.
Guernsey Disability Alliance member Shelaine Green was even spotted hugging Chief Minister Lyndon Trott.
‘This is a big, great day for disabled islanders,’ she said.
‘It is the start of Guernsey truly supporting its disabled citizens and there is a long way to go but this is a very important decision.’
Both amendments were placed on behalf of the Policy Council and were seconded by Deputy Geoff Mahy.
‘We would like to say thank you to all of the ministers and deputies who have worked so hard to make this happen,’ said Ms Green.
She said representatives from various disability groups had been present in the public gallery throughout two days of the debate and that this showed democracy at work.
‘We are also very happy that the domestic abuse and the drug and alcohol strategy will be allocated funding as well – all sorts of vulnerable groups in the island are deserving of support.’
Deputy Adam’s first amendment took advantage of £50,000 that had been released from the budget earmarked for Guernsey to host the British Irish Council in the States Strategic Plan.
That was made available after Chief Minister Lyndon Trott placed an amendment on Thursday saying the BIC meeting would cost £125,000 and not £175,000 as stated.
The £50,000 that has been freed up will now be provided for the disability officer.
Deputy Adam’s second amendment re-allocated £150,000 shown in the States Strategic Plan as ‘available for further developments’.
Some £100,000 of this is earmarked to get the domestic abuse strategy started, and £50,000 will go to the drug and alcohol strategy.
Deputy Adam told the Assembly that he realised this was not as much as asked for originally, but it meant something real would be done and not just be talked about.
‘This is about getting your foot in the door, then you can kick it wide open later on,’ he said.
The debate took an hour and all spoke in favour.
Guernsey Disability Alliance political representative Deputy Jane Stephens said the States had done the right thing at last.
‘In one sense it is not before time, but in the context of the States Strategic Plan it is a timely decision and one of which the States can be very proud,’ she said.
‘It is in one sense a small step for the island but the potential it has opened for increasing equality of opportunity for all sorts of groups who are “less equal” is enormous.’
Article posted on 31st October, 2009 - 2.29pm
21 Article Comments
The appointment of a Disability Officer is wonderful news for the disabled people of Guernsey. It is something which is long overdue. There are many degrees of disability and not all disabilities are immediately obvious. The Guernsey Fibromyalgia Support Group hear from many people who face challenges in their every day life due to having Fibromyalgia. The more we know about the different personal challenges people have to face the more we can empathise and assist.
Jo Bourgaize
Support Group Co-ordinator
fibrosupport@cwgsy.net
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Delighted that the States have agreed to fund the appointment of a disability officer. This should pave the way for a more integrated approach to improving the lives of people with mental or physical disabilities. Thanks and well done to Shelaine Green and all those who have worked for this.
Joyce Gaskin.
Co-ordinator, GSF Mental Health Fellowship
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Really good news – a start to breaking down the barriers that society places in the way of progress for disabled people.
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When I heard the NEWS I was literally jumping up and down in my wheelchair – Yes I am that athletic and then I cried with relief and joy and the anticipation of the challenge yet to come
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Thank you, the States of Guernsey for listening to your electorate and voting for the Dissability officer. It is a service we disabled voters have been calling for for many years.
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This is great for everyone in Guernsey. The new post will give impetus to efficiency and better awareness of the needs of disabled people (who have a lot to offer our island). If we consciously or sub-consciously exclude disabled people our businesses and our society are poorer, financially and reputationally. This post will help us to keep the needs of the disabled in our minds and to make adjustments to the way we do things to the benefit of all – thank you to everyone who contributed to this result.
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The appointment of a Disability Officer is a big step forward and should greatly help all those with disabilities on the Island.
The Policy Council found the cash and every Deputy bar none endorsed their initiative.
Great stuff – now we need a person in the job.
The Guernsey Disability Alliance and the States should both be proud of themselves.
Yours
Terry
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This is a significant step forward toward coordinated care and support for the many disabled members of our Island Community and the States should be complimented on this decision
As the current chair of the Guernsey MS Branch I know our committee and members are eager to see this post filled rapidly by an individual of dedication and high calibre.
However the provision of this post is not a solution in and of itself, what is needed is long term strategy of cordinated care and support supported by the States which Guernsey can be proud of
Peter Woodward
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The appointment of a disability officer is a small but vital step in improving life for disabled people.
Whoever it is who is appointed to this job will quickly find that he or she will inherit the aspirations of equality of thousands of Islanders – much will be expected from our disability officer.
This is an appointment of strategic importance, one that is primarily intended to help shape future policy and resources. This will take time. However, I urge you not to be patient! Disabled people have been patient for too long and actually have a vital role to play in assisting our new officer in his/her work. Please make your views known through the Guernsey Disability Alliance and speak to your deputies.
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At last we have a voice and support, which is long overdue. I hope that people being diagnosed in the future will have the assistance that they so desperately need.
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I am a relative newcomer to the ranks of wheelchair users – only since January this year.
I therefore have a lot to learn in all respects, but it is clear from the comments already made how passionately so many people have worked towards this point. I don’t think (I certainly hope)I was ever ignorant of the plight of anyone with a disability but of course my perspective has now changed. Thank you to all of you who have worked to bring about this appointment on my, and so many others behalf. I hope I can join in to carry the project forward.
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I’ve had the pleasure of working with the GDA for some months now and was ecstatic when i heard the news. The GDA has been working so hard for so long and the appointment of a disability officer should be seen as a direct result of their unwavering efforts.
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Well done to all at the Guernsey Disability Alliance for ‘chipping away’ at states members to get this position approved.
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We fully support the role of A Disability Officer who can co ordinate and integrate future plans to put the rights of disabled islanders forward.
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As service manager of Headway Guernsey I would like to say congratulations to our Chair Shelaine Green for heralding this change and congratulations to all the people with a disability who had the courage and strength to challenge the states and make themselves heard. I literally screamed with delight when one of our member’s told me…….dripping tap….dripping tap……..let the battle commence.
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Finally a voice for people over here. Guernsey needs to get out of the dark ages.
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Great news! Hopefully this will be a step towards a coordinated strategy to meet the needs of disabled people in Guernsey.
A big thank you to all the GDA members who went to listen to the states debate, for representing the interests of those of who were unable to be there.
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I hope this move becomes the beginning of the long required needs of the islands disabled. Well done to all those involved.
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The appointment of a disability officer has been a long time coming and the feeling at the moment is wonderful. But it is only a small step on the way. The weight of expectation on the person appointed as that officer will be enormous and we have to be sure to be available to help achieve the long term strategy required. This is just a beginning – there’s a long way to go.
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Hurray! At long last there will be one person who is entirely dedicated to the personal needs and the different requirements of each ‘individual’ person who has a disability! Whether or not you can actually see it!
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As ‘Publicity Officer’ to Guernsey Motor Neurone Disease association, I cannot express how pleased I am for all the background slog that has gone into getting this very important person appointed who we know in the right place to be the voice for those who sometimes cannot, literaly, voice their needs themselves. There are so many of us who just do not, or just cannot put themselves in the position of being without the use of their legs and need a set of wheels ie wheelchair or scooter get from A to B ON THEIR OWN and the facilities are just not out there for them.
So YES lets ALL be the voice for them.
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