Taskforce to begin work on disabilities policy

(CNS): The government is finally beginning work on a disability law, according to minutes released by the Deputy Governor’s Office. The record of the 8 October meeting of civil service heads revealed that the Policy Coordination Unit in the Cabinet Office will be coordinating the development of a national disability action plan, as well as a national disabilities policy and law. The senior civil servants heard that the work will require inter-ministry collaboration and the creation of a taskforce to submit information to the unit regarding current provisions and practice in the area of disabilities.

“This work will be supported by work already completed, including the Ministry of ET&E’s July 2012 proposals to support the development of a National Action Plan, as well as work previously completed, including a Report of the Legal Committee for Persons with Disability, which provides a foundation to draw on for the development of Drafting Instructions,” the minutes revealed.

The CIG has talked for many years about the need for disability legislation. But despite the creation of a comprehensive report by the legal sub-committee for persons with disabilities, which was submitted to Cabinet more than three and a half years ago, no further developments of any significance have been reported since.