At the GDA’s recent “Film Night” AGM, deputies and professionals joined GDA members and supporters in a packed Le Murier School Hall to review progress for disabled islanders in the last 12 months. Munching on popcorn, the audience watched Channel TV and Paralympics footage, plus video presentations from States’ Champion, Deputy John Gollop, and Deputy Chief Minister, Jonathan Le Tocq.
Deputy Le Tocq used the opportunity to give the first public indication of the contents of the Disability and Inclusion Strategy which he hoped would be debated by the States at their November 2013 meeting. He mentioned bringing in Disability Equality Law, signing up to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and also the possibility of creating a body called Equality Guernsey that would “act to educate and enforce any changes in legislation that are brought about. So it could make sure that people are aware of what their rights are, but also instruct organisations in order to say ‘you need to improve the way you relate to people’.”
But Deputy Le Tocq was also careful to warn that it would take time to achieve all the objectives of the long-awaited strategy and securing States funding could be one of the future obstacles.
After the event, Deputy Barry Brehaut tweeted: “Well done to all involved with the Guernsey Disability Alliance. Effective, well presented, time well spent. #One day all AGMs will be like that”.
Watch the Channel TV coverage.
Read the Guernsey Press article.