Jul 13 - Disability Society Welcomes “Agnes’ Law”
The Gibraltar Disability Society has welcomed the unanimous vote by Parliament to pass the Disability Bill yesterday afternoon. The Act secures and protects the rights of disabled people.
A statement from the society expanded:
“Many years ago the late Chairwoman of the Gibraltar Disability Society, Mrs Agnes Valarino, made it her mission to bring legislation to Gibraltar to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. Such was her determination she even wrote a paper with draft legislation based on the disability law in Southern Ireland.
“After Agnes sadly passed away the Disability Society continued her fight to achieve such legislation. Over the years we have worked with all Governments in attempt to achieve this aim and today the hard work of Agnes and the Disability Society has finally come to fruition. Parliament has unanimously voted to pass the Disability Bill which will in future be referred to as “Agnes’ Law”.
“The Disability Society would like to thank all those who have supported us over the years in helping to reach this milestone. We would also like to especially thank Minister Sacramento for her proposal to name this legislation after such a wonderful woman.
“This proposal was not only welcomed by Agnes’ family but by all those who worked with or knew Agnes and it is a fitting tribute to her legacy. Now that Gibraltar has taken the initial step in introducing such necessary legislation the Disability Society will turn its sights to the introduction in full of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilties to Gibraltar.
“However today we will take the time to remember Agnes a strong and caring woman whose determination has changed the future for the better for those with disabilities in Gibraltar.”
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