Government inches towards dealing with disability

(CNS): The policy document outlining how government intends to improve the lives of people with disabilities was approved by Cabinet last month and officials said this week that recommendations for the 2015/16 budget have been submitted to ministries by an inter-ministerial task force responsible for finalising the plans for the policy’s implementation. A long time in coming the policy was developed by the Cayman Islands Disability Policy Steering Committee. A legal subcommittee also produced a report recommending legislation to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. The law, will include the creation of a council to act as a watchdog for implementation, officials said.

Implementation of the disability policy and associated legislation will set the foundation for the Cayman Islands Government to request via the United Kingdom that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities be extended to the Cayman Islands.

Commending the committee for their hard work over the year, Steering Committee Chair Robert Lewis described the various committee members as “dedicated and highly knowledgeable participants”. Thanking stakeholders from civil society, the private sector and government for their commitment and dedication he said it was about achieving the vision of the policy, which is “ensuring persons with disabilities live  with dignity, are respected and have the opportunity to participate fully in society.“

Stakeholders represented in the process were from Special Olympics Cayman Islands, Rotaract Blue, the Lighthouse School, Sunrise Centre, the Ministries of Education, Health, Community Affairs, the Attorney General’s Chambers, Department of Children and Family Services, Government Information Services, and parents’ groups.

A copy of the approved policy is now available online at www.gov.ky andwww.cabinetoffice.gov.ky and posted below