Gibraltar Disability Rights Federation
The GDRF sees the coming together of various Gibraltar disability charities to work on the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Gibraltar, and the legislative reforms that should be made as a result.
What Are Our Goals
The GDRF is asking Government to adopt the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Gibraltar, and make any changes to legislation required as a result.
The Convention is underpinned by 8 key principles: Respect, Non-discrimination, Inclusion, Acceptance, Equality, Accessibility, Gender Equality and Rights for Children.
These are basic human rights! The Government cannot delay the adoption of these any longer.
The GDRF is formed of representatives from 12 local charities
Including:
Special Needs Action Group, Cerebral Palsy Awareness Group, Down syndrome Support Group, Gibraltar Hearing issues and Tinnitus Association, Stoma Support Group, Parkinson’s Support Group, Senior Citizens Association, Clubhouse Gibraltar, Fibromyalgia Support Group, Saffron Rose 4 Retts Charity, Equality Rights Group
Why we’re campaigning for this
These are basic human rights that everyone should have. If we want persons with disabilities to participate equally in society we need the convention to be implemented
The Convention in Action
Key principles that need implementing
Equality in the eyes of the law
We are campaigning for people with disabilities to be treated the same in the eyes of the law. This means they will be recognized and be able to make decisions and enter agreements and enter legal contracts including those relating to owning property, access to finance and loans etc. The convention also states that support will be provided if required when exercising legal capacity and that safeguards will be in place to prevent abuse.
Accessibility
Accessibility is a key principle of the convention. Legislating so that not just buildings, but emergency services, electronic services, access to housing and medical services etc is made accessible for all disabilities, physical or otherwise. This includes issuing public guidelines on accessibility, providing training on accessibility issues, adapting signage and live assistance where required and making accessibility a key element in any technology, construction, infrastructure etc.
Education
The UN Convention ensures inclusion in general primary and secondary education, opportunities for lifelong learning and ensures that persons with disabilities are able to access general tertiary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning without discrimination and on an equal basis with others. Education is a right for all! It is not just the Disability Act that needs amending but also the Education and Training Act, Equality Act, Employment Laws and more.
Gibraltar Disability Rights Federation 