Gibraltar Local Disability Movement News Room
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PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY CLOCK TURNING BACKWARDS
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement has had to come out this week in protest to the conditions that disabled people in Gibraltar are being subjected to.
A spokesperson of the GLDM has come out today with a strong statement where spokesman Mr Gordon Nelson adds, “ Many changes have been going on in Gibraltar and it is sad that disability only comes out in the forefront when it suits to enhance the requirements of any public servants or the public.”
Mr Nelson has received many unhappy emails to the Gibraltar Local Disability Movement where disabled people have found comfort and relief in trying to alleviate their anxiety. Mr Nelson from the disability movement highlights several particulars the movement has received.
Relating to one person the local disability movement received an email of which is not a one off situation this happens more and more often Mr Nelson ads.
Sadly we received mail where a man unnecessarily was experiencing a very hard time trying to gain access to his car even at a point of being hailed a barge of insults to his person. The man mail told us the following. ..:..........Continue Reading >>>
Thumbs up to GTA
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement praises the achievement of the Gibraltar Taxi Association
The disability movement has for a number of years expressed its thoughts to the Gibraltar Taxi Association on taxi availably for the disabled.
Commenting on this the GLDM spokesman ads,
“It has been a long time coming and we are very happy and we praise the actions by the Taxi Association and we give it a thumb up. The Disability Movement has been receiving emails and phone calls for years by tourist’s visitors to Gibraltar asking about disabled transport and we are sure that the services will be in high demand by tourist.”
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement also makes note that although the number of vehicles is one, and will be used by visitors who arrive in Gibraltar cruise ships. It has been advised by Taxi Association that it would be better if anyone who needs the services to pre booked it, as it will be in demand.
The GLDM question the GTA “Mr. Paul Balban” if they like to add anything and they added..:..........Continue Reading >>>
GLDM WELCOMES EASTERN BEACH FACILITIES
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement has welcomed the new eastern beach faculties as a steep forward that will enable people with disabilities to access the beach.
Spokesman of GLDM adds Beach facilities have made history allowing wheelchair users’ access to one of its beaches i.e. Eastern Beach, but hopes that this is a first step in the right way for other beaches. The Disability Movement has received many emails from outside gib asking about beach facilities in Gibraltar. Although beach facilities for the disabled are more than needed and welcomed, the Movement would have loved to have seen disabled beach facilities at Camp Bay were the possibility of sand grains getting into wheelchair wheels would be limited.
The GLDM also remakes that it has, form the launch of Eastern Beach facilities, received emails from persons who ask that they would like to be as independent as possible avoiding having other people helping out and what are the alternatives, other emails ask about Gibraltar facilities available for the disabled as in taxi’s cable car and tourist facilities access.:..........Continue Reading >>>
Imbeciles, Idiots and Defectives
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement has described the action in the criminal reforms bill in the wording “imbeciles, idiots and defectives" being continued in the Minister for Justice Daniel Feetham proposed Bill as highly offensive to people who have cognitive disabilities and is the continuation of old language in the older law which we still have here in Gibraltar, from the previous legislation, which is the Criminal Offences Act
The new bill, which will now eventually be passed to be debated by Parliament, for the possible adoption into law must remove the out of date terms as in, defectives, imbeciles and idiots,
The Minister for Justice Daniel Feetham may be introducing a new modernised crimes bill probably in 2010 but it is not modern or a comprehensive reform of our criminal justice system in our history if we continue to use the words of our distant past mistakes.
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement disagreement in the proposed new Crimes Act (programmed for 2010) is in the wording, spokesman of the GLDM adds:..........Continue Reading >>>
Bishop Signs Public Enquiry Petition
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement calling for a public enquiry into the Social Services Agency petition was singed by Gibraltar Bishop Charles Caruana this Saturday. The Bishop during his attendance to the Royal Marines marching through the city, approached the disability movements table at the Piazza and singed the petition for a public inquiry to the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home. The Bishop Charles Caruana quoted “Why have they taken to long, the sooner they do it the better”
“Bishop Charles Caruana’s support for our petition calling for a public inquiry to the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home has not only strengthened our call for a public inquiry but has also given us the strength and inspiration to see it to the end” spokesman of the GLDM adds.
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement is working with very limited resources to finish the sampling of public support for our petition, for a public inquiry to the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home. We hope to be able to hand this over to the Governor Sir Robert Fulton very soon. The Disability Movement adds that the Governor is a representative for the Queen and UK, and that the UK is responsible for Gibraltar’s compliance with the various international charters relative to the rights of the disabled:..........Continue Reading >>>
Dr Giraldi Home When Will It All End
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement asks when will it all end, we have had many concerns and they have just been growing, to have the TGWU spokesman on Health and Equality, Sukh Khaira saying “Unfortunately over the last few weeks we and the silent majority have observed certain elements intensifying their efforts to divide public opinion to the point where this tide of slander and innuendo can only sow doubt and disunity.”
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement makes note that having two employees speaking on behalf of the work force with strongly stated sentiments that the former manger conducted a witch-hunt, can only show doubt and disunity.
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement adds, we may be able to fix any disunity but we are sure that any doubt to the allegations can only be fixed be holding a position that a public inquiry to the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home is undertaken, and that an independent assessor as required by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities be implemented.
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement feelings are :......... Continue Reading >>>
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement Release Witness Statements
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement has released witness statements contents that have been released to the international and local media and is now public knowledge.
“We have just received the dossier on the statements that were made by witnesses in support of Joanna Hernandez in her Disciplinary Case that have been past on to all the media i.e. in Gibraltar, The UK, and Spain. Of which we would like to pass on to the people of Gibraltar, in the anticipation that this well help all in seeking answers to the questions on the controversy surrounding the Dr Giraldi Home.” A spokesman of the GLDM adds:.........Continue Reading >>>
The Public Should Be Properly Informed On Allegations
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement has today asked for reason and clarity and also that all should act sensibly.
The movement is mystified adds spokesman of the GLDM,
Unite have given the impression that their previous call for a public enquiry was made 2 years ago. These statements given to the GBC Newswatch program confuse the issue and in the interests of clarity must be rectified.
On 27 November, 2007 the Union stated;
“There have recently been allegations aired publicly about the care practices in the Social Services Agency. These are having a detrimental effect on the morale of the staff, service users and their families. In order to disperse any doubts about the practices in the Social Services Agency: The TGWU/ACTS on behalf of its Union members and service users demand a comprehensive and public enquiry on all matters surrounding the items which have been highlighted in the press, and which have caused concern to all interested parties.”
As recently as on 29 December Mr Khaira himself confirmed in an article in the Gibraltar Chronicle that his Union had
“Called for a public inquiry to dispel any doubt that may exist and to counter the recurring allegations that are being made.”
The question of their u turn still remains unanswered and actually serves only to increase the public apprehension and need for an Independent Review. I regret his members are not well served by this.
As previously stated by this Movement we are wholly supportive of the workers of the Dr Giraldi Home and appreciate the pressure they are working under. However it is patently obvious given the uncertainties surrounding the whole issue, that the only way to clear the good name of the many professional and efficient workers in the Dr Giraldi Home is by an immediate Independent Public Enquiry. Anything else will only serve to procrastinate their difficult and unwarranted situation.
It needs to be established once and for all by an independent party whether these allegations in fact happened; If they did, ensure that action was taken against the offending parties and more importantly establish an Independent review mechanism that would ensure we complied with Article 16(3) of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This provides......... Continue Reading >>>
Dr Giraldi Home Appropriate Measures
Article dded by gldm
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement asks when will it all end, we have had many concerns and they have just been growing, to have the TGWU spokesman on Health and Equality, Sukh Khaira saying “Unfortunately over the last few weeks we and the silent majority have observed certain elements intensifying their efforts to divide public opinion to the point where this tide of slander and innuendo can only sow doubt and disunity.”
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement makes note that having two employees speaking on behalf of the work force with strongly stated sentiments that the former manger conducted a witch-hunt, can only show doubt and disunity.
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement adds, we may be able to fix any disunity but we are sure that any doubt to the allegations can only be fixed be holding a position that a public inquiry to the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home is undertaken, and that an independent assessor as required by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities be implemented.
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement feelings are :......... Continue Reading >>>
Gibraltar House Of Horrors Antena3 TV Espejo-Publico
Article dded by gldm
Many have been making inquires about the TV program of Antena3 TV Espejo-Publico said a spokesperson of The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement. “It seems many have been shocked to know about the allegations of abuse at the Dr Giraldi Home, this is not new and we have been calling out that the allegations of abuse has to be investigated, and the disability movement cant see anyway out but by doing a investigation. Government can’t be seen doing nothing about it and dilating this issue now. Government has a duty to protect the most needed and if by after seeing it aired on Antena3 TV Espejo-Publico government dose nothing to hold a full independent public inquiry into the allegations of abuse and abusive treatment towards the residents at the Dr Giraldi Home what next, sky news, CNN, or the BBC. The government must know that the best way is to be seen as a responsible government and to carry out the inquiry, if they don’t this it will only be seen as a government that has something to hide and not just to the eyes of the people of Gibraltar but internationally.”
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement adds government has told everyone that the allegations of abuse are unfounded and that Royal Gibraltar Police have found no need to conduct an investigation. This the disability movement adds, that evidence or facts have been presented to the court with signed statements made in the industrial tribunal of Joanna Hernandez. Why have the signed statements not been taken into consideration? It can’t be put down to cost to investigate this issue when it concerns the well being of vulnerable citizens.
Government has made a press release where it adds (quote)the proper independent body to conduct enquiries in allegations of misbehaviour that would amount to a criminal offence, such as is being alleged, is the RGP (unquote). Any citizen who believes that any such offence has or may have been committed by employees of the Agency is duty bound to report the matter to the Police, and should do so.
The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement remakes, this is the right thing to-do but we must not forget the SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY ACT, 2002, Duties of the Agency, (f) to ensure that all complaints made against the Agency or any employee or contractor of the Agency are properly investigated without delay; :......... Continue Reading >>>
