Dec 05 - Reception To Mark The International Day Of People With Disabilities
Saturday was the International Day of People with Disabilities. That evening Minister for Equality, Samantha Sacramento, hosted a reception in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Disability Society at the University of Gibraltar.
In her speech Minister Sacramento highlighted the importance of marking both events; a day that is internationally recognised to raise awareness of disability and also to celebrate the Disability Society, and she acknowledged the work and progress that they have made during their time.
The Minister noted that it was Gibraltar’s longest-standing disability association and one that worked with everybody for the benefit of all those who live with disabilities. Minister Sacramento acknowledged that while there are a lot of other societies, charities and associations that do significant and important work in relation to particular disabilities, the Disability Society is more of an umbrella organisation for all.
Minister Sacramento announced that Government will shortly publish the Disability Bill, a truly landmark piece of legislation modelled on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Minster closed by acknowledging and thanking all the professionals who work in this field, including the other more specialised associations, and encouraged all to continue to work together for better outcomes. The Minister also thanked her team at the Ministry for Equality.
Minster Sacramento said: “The Disability Society works in the interest of all who may have a disability. As part of my open door policy with all stakeholders, we have been working together very closely for the last five years with a view to meeting the objectives and goals of the Society, and long may our relationship continue. I am grateful for the Society’s advice on many issues over the years, in particular with their feedback in relation the Disability Bill.
“We all work together to deliver on the Government’s policy of inclusion, of promoting the rights of people with disabilities, and above all, to further our policy of looking at individuals’ abilities and what they can achieve.
“I am also grateful to my colleagues Dr Joseph Garcia, the Deputy Chief Minister, and to the Minister for Health and Care Neil Costa for supporting the event on Saturday.
“I look forward to many more years of our fruitful working relationship with the Disability Society, as well as with all the other associations, for the benefit of individuals with disabilities.”
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