Dec 20 – GSD: Government Does Not Lead By Example On Accessibility
The GSD has said that, although the Midtown Car Park was inaugurated on 5th August, over four months later and coincidently at the same time as Opposition MP Lawrence Llamas asked a question during the current Parliamentary session to do with accessibility, the Government has “finally embarked” on making the only zebra crossing to the new parking building wheelchair and pushchair friendly.
A statement continued: “It is sad to note that the Government does not lead by example on this type of issue, an issue which forms one of the important factors being introduced in the Disability Bill, but yet hypocritically holds a seminar for the public and private sector by Mr Ian Streets the Managing Director of About Access UK to talk about accessibility.”
Mr Llamas today said: “The lack of planning on many issues is palpable. It has taken Government over four months to determine whether a ramp is needed. Even though the Minister for Equality lamentably refused my attendance to the accessibility seminar, which would have served in a short term a learning curve and in a long term vision provide a continuity of knowledge and experience should there be a change of administration in the future. The Government should realise that this sort of publicly funded event is far more useful to Opposition MPs than receiving free VVIP tickets. I am however grateful that a simple question in Parliament results in getting things done for the benefit of our community.”
Photos, provided by the GSD, show a before and after (pre and post-December 19th) of the zebra crossing in question:
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