Minister for Social Affairs
Mr. Netto New Minister for Social Affairs agreed we could set up on our website, an area were those with a question or a problem our even a suggestion could have access to post it. The Minister told us that it will be a very useful and supports this idea, as did the former Ministry of Social Affairs Mrs. Yvette Del Agua, and that Ministry of Social Affairs and the Minister, will be willing to receive e-mails, and of course replying to them too!
Our first meeting was an informal one, our objective in this first meeting was to let the Minister know who we are, and the service we offer and the work and help offered. The Minister James Joseph Netto was happy to have met with us, and accepted and recognized that more additional support is needed and that any ideas providing support will only strengthen the well being of the disabled.
Now all of our users can have access to send an e-mail to Minister
The Ministry of Social Affairs for this purpose only, have set up of a caption base for the correspondence it will receive from us.
How dose this work,
You may be asking yourself....... Well The G.L.D.M. have control over what we send?
Well Not full control, we all have to realise that question or a problem our even a suggestion, with unsuitable inappropriate language is unacceptable, and this we can’t permit. And therefore same control had to be a must if we what an open channel with the Minister for Social Affairs.
The G.L.D.M. will not edit you mail and will not evaluate whose mail should be past, all we will do is make sure that no inappropriate language is in use, THAT’S ALL.
Minister James Joseph Netto
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Social Services Agency
Legislation & Support Unit
Disablement Benefits
The Minister James Joseph Netto responsibility goes as:
Ministry of Family, Youth & Community Affairs
• Families & Children
• Social Services – Social Work, the elderly, the disabled, residential homes and Day Centres
• Social Security benefits, Pensions & Social Assistance
• Consumer Affairs
• Minorities Issues
• Civic rights (including citizens advice, ombudsman, consumer Protection, Data Protection and Equality)
• Women’s Issues
• Drugs & Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
• Youth
• the administration of Government departments charged with the aforesaid.
This practical and useful access to the Minister can help many we hope, and could open doors to other Ministries.
If You Like To Send those question or a problem our even a suggestion all you have to do is.
1/ Send it to us by E-Mail. add on Subject: Minister for Social Affairs Or
2/ Send it to this Address: To Gibraltar Disability. 9 Royal Sovereign House Varyl Begg Estate. Gibraltar
Questions to the Minister for the disabled...
Dear Madam or Sir
I am a sculptor working in the field of access for all interpretation in the UK and I was surprised to find, on a recent visit to Gibraltar, that there was so little attention to the needs of the visually impaired. I understand that the number of registered visually impaired resident in Gibraltar is 51 and that access issues such as the provision of canes are being addressed but in the absence of any obvious tactile interpretation I wonder how many of the 51 visually impaired have an understanding of the fascinating geography of the peninsular? I would also like to ask you if there are figures for the number of visually impaired tourists that visit and if there are provisions for their needs?
Yours Faithfully
Loz S
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Hello
I am 24 years old and I have been diagnosed with hemiplegic migraine two years ago. It is a very rare/severe type of migraine which causes weakness to the right side of my body (please note that I am right-handed), often resulting in paralysis and has lasted from one week to three months. Other symptoms include, daily nausea and fainting, pressure headaches every other day, blurred vision and sometimes loss of sight.
When I suffer a full blown episode (i.e. paralysis/numbness of the right side of my body and slurred speech), I need assistance with all my normal daily activities. I am also unable to move about the unattended, since wheelchairs/crutches require the use of both arms/ the arm on the side of the affected leg. Even sitting-up by myself becomes a challenge and I have to rely on my family to help me perform the simplest of tasks, which at times means that they have to miss work to do so, further reducing the family’s income.
Due to my condition, I have not been able to keep a job for these last two years.
A few months ago I applied for a disability benefit which was later denied due to the fact that my condition is, according to their letter "...not considered to be a permanent and severe disability from birth" Their ref:DA 11/08.
This was even after I had provided various letters from different doctors asking them to consider me to receive such benefit.
Upon hearing of the DSS’s decision during a routine quarterly check-up, my neurologist agreed to provide me with a letter stating that my condition is genetic and I was therefore born with it, even though it manifested itself later on in my life and, that in his professional opinion, I do suffer "a significant disability".
I consider the DSS’s decision in rejecting my application to have been an unfair one. After having been providing for myself since my mid-teens I am now finding myself financially reliant on family members.
Please advise me on what I can do since I have no source of income.
Regards,
Kathryne E.
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Dear minister
I'm a Quadruplegic wheelchair user and due to health reasons, I am Considering moving from the UK to a warmer climate. I'm considering moving to Gibraltar, can I get same benefits as in UK like income support, housing benefit etc? Is it possible to receive any benefits?
Many thanks
From: Dominic
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Dear minister
I would like to know about the provisions for the blind and partially-sighted people here in Gibraltar. I have two friends here in Gibraltar whose needs seem to not been taken care of by the blind Society, I know that government have no say in the matters of the blind Society, but what I will like to know is about the government provisions for the blind and partially-sighted people here in Gibraltar. I have concerns with the lack facilities i.e.
1. A walking stick for blind not being provided and the shortage or complete absence of a particular thing as the teaching and learning on the walking stick for blind.
2. The teaching and learning of braille.
3. A set up of a day care center.
Respectfully yours,
Georgina M
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Dear minister
My question involves the assessment of the disabled financially requirements for practical assistance in support i.e. Electrical bill, Water bill, House rent bills, It seems that the disabled have to pay bills to the government for the cost of essential things that they need as electricity, water, and housing bills. It does not seem just, that a disabled person living on their own having to pay for this especially if they have medical electric equipment. A review of their needs for personal assistance and support along with any health requirements they may have must be look into, if we like to encourage the idea of independent living.
My question is, should the disabled have to pay bills?
What help or support can the disabled get when they can’t pay the bills they get from things like electricity, water, and housing bills?
Thank you,
John C
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Dear Sir/ Madam
I am working on a project, and I would like to find information related to people with disabilities in Gibraltar. Is there any stadistic related to number of people who have any kind of disability, sensorial, phisical etc?
Thank you in advanced.
Yours sincerely
Estefanía M
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Hi there
i would be interested in learning more about services for people with a disability in gibraltar, especially for people with an intellectual disability. i am a social worker and have worked in that area since 1983 in 3 different countries and would like to have a look at services in gibraltar at our next visit to europe, probably in autumn. would you be able to point me int the right direction as to who to contact, or any websites?
many thanks
JOHN australia
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Hello,
Subject: Social Services Policy
I wonder if you can help?
I would like to know if Social Services policy in Gibraltar is governed by the same policy as that in the UK.? Are for example; Government whitepapers such as Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century-UK part of Gibraltar Social Services principles and policy and are these principles realized at local level here in Gibraltar through the UK legislation that confers rights on all citizens including people with learning disabilities e,g,
The Human Rights Act 1998,
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995,
the Race Relations Act 1976,
the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000,
If not, how exactly does the system work here and how could I get more information on this?
Thanks for your help,
Fiona
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