I welcome very much the new Disability Policy Draft that the Government have published for public consultation.

Please see iNews Cayman story published May 12 2014 “Disability Policy drafted for consultation” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/disability-policy-drafted-for-consultation/

Cayman Premier, Alden McLaughlin, said it just right, “Ensuring persons with disabilities live with dignity, are respected, and have the opportunity to participate fully in society is a vision that all can and should subscribe to.

“It is hoped that the comprehensive approach taken to develop this National Policy will lead to highly valuable results. A better, more just Cayman, is a Cayman that fully enshrines protection for the most vulnerable in our community, such as persons with disabilities. Nothing can be more edifying and Christian-like.”

Likewise, Keith Parker Tibbetts Jr. – Patron, Cayman Islands Disability Policy said:

“The involvement of persons and organisations that would be impacted by the Policy makes the document highly relevant to persons with disabilities and other stakeholders.”

It is both a distinct honour and humbling to serve as the Patron for the Cayman Islands Disability Policy. As a person with limited mobility, I can attest on many different levels to the value I see in this Policy.

Firstly, from a content perspective the Policy’s vision of ensuring persons with disabilities live with dignity, are respected, and have the opportunity to participate fully in society is supported by goals covering all aspects of life for persons with disabilities. These goals seek to address challenges persons with disabilities encounter, such as in education, lifelong learning, employment, fair wage, health, independence and inclusion.

Secondly, beyond policies, this document is structured to enable sustainable implementation in the short, medium and long-term. Its implementation will be championed by a National Council for Persons with Disabilities. Further, by providing for policy monitoring, review/evaluation and change, these are expected to enhance implementation efficiency, accountability and keeping the Policy live and relevant.”

I asked the question “Do we treat disabled persons as second class citizens? And I obtained this answer from a lady in the UK. This is what she said:

“I was classified as disabled by the DWP last year, and I have to say it has taken me a while to accept this. Because I don’t look disabled I have, on occasions, been accused of faking it. Can people really be jealous because I now park outside the door at my local ASDA or Sainsburys? Pensioners receive an extra £250 fuel allowance in the winter, but the disabled don’t. Because I am on Warfarin (rat poison) I feel the cold more than I used to. Also I have to pay for all my prescriptions (nine different lots of tablets). Fortunately I can do this monthly, but it seems unfair as without my drugs I would die!! I worked full time from being 16 until 51 when I became ill (apart from 2 years when I had my children-and I’m a single mum) so I feel I’ve made a fair contribution. Because I live in the middle of nowhere I opted for the motorbility car, which costs me £45 per week, plus fuel, but without which I’d be lost. People in general are okay, but it’s the odd few who are abusive when I’m slow crossing the road, or push my trolley too slowly when in the supermarket that make me feel as if I’m a nuisance.”

An interesting answer came from a man who pointed out:

“It depends by what you mean disabled, i.e. Physically or mentally and then if you consider mentally. Mental illness, now known more as mental distress is different from mental handicapped or now known as learning difficulties. However there are those poor souls out there who may have all three. I remember the phrase ‘does he take sugar, in other words if a person is in a wheelchair the person, whoever that may be, asks the person pushing the chair questions about the person in the chair something that the wheelchair user can answer for themselves. OK the wheelchair user may not be able to use their legs but that does not mean that their brain doesn’t work and that they can’t answer the question themselves.”

Another said, “I think the best thing we can do is to educate people about various disabilities/illnesses/disorders so that they can understand them better and not make so many ignorant assumptions.”

I hope everyone reads the Disability Policy and gets behind it including questions, comments and suggestions.

Everyone of us does need education on this.

Disabled persons are NOT second class citizens and we do need a Disability Policy that will help people so incapacitated.