GROUPS representing those with special needs believe the appointment of a States disability officer is essential.

The matter is addressed in the Social Policy section of the States Strategic Plan, which the assembly will debate in September.

Guernsey Disability Alliance political representative Deputy Jane Stephens (pictured) said she was disappointed at the priority level that disability issues had been given within the plan but said the States would have the opportunity to debate the ranking.

‘Where I see real progress is the potential for the appointment of a disability officer,’ she said.

‘This will be a strategic civil service post reporting to the Policy Council which will be the route for change and awareness raising of not only what the task of providing for disabled people is, but also how we are going to achieve and fund the introduction of new services and the upgrading and maintenance of others.

‘If the States really want to assist the disabled community then we will have a disability officer before the end of this year.’

Wigwam co-founder and chairwoman, Jenny Hooper, said a disability officer would provide a link between what was happening in the community and the States.

‘Statistics could be gathered and given to the people that matter,’ she said.