Following the publication of a draft National Disability Policy the committee established to help shape the way forward to a much more inclusive society will be hosting a series of public meetings this month. Starting this evening in Cayman Brac (Thursday 3 April) the Cayman Islands Disability Policy Steering Committee (CIDPSC) will be seeking input and comment on the new document which officials said aims to raise the standard of key services available to persons with disabilities including healthcare, education, employment and social inclusion. It outlines a need to improve data collection on persons with disabilities to better inform policy and service provision in both the public and private sectors.

The committee which is comprised of stakeholders from around the sector includes those with disabilities which local businessman, Keith Parker Tibbetts who is also the policy’s patron said their involvement had helped to create a more relevant document.

“It covers all aspects of life for persons with disabilities, and seeks to address the very real challenges that we encounter in our daily lives. With input from the wider Cayman Islands community we believe that we have an opportunity to make the document even stronger,” Tibbetts who is also disabled added.

The document’s vision is ensuring that persons with disabilities can live with dignity, are respected, and have the opportunity to participate fully in society. To ensure that members of the public have an opportunity to provide face to face feedback and to ask questions meetings are planned as follows:

Thursday, 3 April, at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre

Monday, 7 April, at the Mary Miller Hall, in Red Bay

Wednesday, 9 April, at the Sir John A. Cumber Primary School Hall, in West Bay,

Monday, 14 April, at the James M. Bodden Civic Centre, in Bodden Town

Wednesday, 16 April, at the Clifton Hunter High School Performing Arts Centre

All meetings start at 7pm and Refreshments will be available.

For more information or to provide detailed feedback contact Robert Lewis of the Cabinet Office: 244-3602, email [email protected]

Shari Smith, Chair of the Policy Subcommittee of the CIDPSC: 949-3330 email [email protected]

Excerpts from the document is posted below:

Foreword From Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP Premier of the Cayman Islands

“My administration is committed to championing this Policy and the forthcoming associated legislation.”

The Cayman Islands Disability Policy aims to advance the rights and obligations of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) through policies, supporting legislation and practices. Started under my previous PPM Government, further work was done on the Disability Policy by other administrations. This is evidence that addressing disability challenges transcends politics. “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.

Many stakeholders contributed toward developing the Policy. Key participants included persons with disabilities and their families who provided valuable insights, otherwise unobtainable. Other contributors comprised Sunrise Adult Training Centre, Special Olympics Cayman Islands, Sunrise Caring Association, and Lighthouse School, to name a few. Completion of the Policy was coordinated by the Cabinet Office’s Policy Coordination Unit, supported by the Ministry of Health, Sports, Youth and Culture, the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs, and Ministry of Home and Community Affairs. On behalf of the Government I thank all involved with this highly worthwhile initiative.

My administration is committed to championing this Policy and the forthcoming associated legislation. That being said, for policy implementation to be sustainable in the medium to long- term, the legislation will make provision for a National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), which will act as a “watchdog” on disability and related matters.

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.

EBD

Message From Keith Parker Tibbetts Jr. CMH Patron, Cayman Islands Disability Policy

“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.

Thirdly, as a participant on committees developing this Policy, I experienced first-hand the effort and steadfast commitment over many hours of those involved.  These were persons from diverse perspectives, including persons with disabilities and their parents and other family members, special needs professionals from the public, civil society and private sectors, and some very dedicated civil servants (among others).   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.

The comprehensive Policy content, approach, stakeholders and their steadfast commitment, increase the chance of this Policy being implemented effectively and in a timely manner. Much thanks to all who have contributed and will continue to contribute to this most worthy cause.

END

Purpose of the Policy

The Cayman Islands Disability Policy (CIDP) has been developed to provide strategic guidance in the delivery of quality services and the right to access and participation by all Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within the Cayman Islands. In this regard, the vision of the Policy is ensuring that  persons  with  disabilities  live  with  dignity,  are  respected,  and  have  the  opportunity  to participate fully in society.

The CIDP was developed to identify gaps in key areas of services as well as create opportunities for the examination, revision and creation of legislation that impact the quality of life and service of persons with disabilities. The CIDP encompasses all aspects of life, including education, health, employment, community involvement, and legal protection. Effective implementation of the Policy is dependent on partnerships between Government, civil society and the private sector in fulfilling the goals outlined in the CIDP, described below under ‘Broad Benefits of the Policy.’

Enabling and Supporting Documents

Section 16 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 – Bill of Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities  –  establishes  that  “…Government  shall  not  treat  any  person  in  a  discriminatory manner in respect of the rights under…the Constitution.”  This section applies to a list of categories and demographics, including persons with mental or physical disability.  Therefore, the creation of this Policy is empowered by the highest “Law” of the land – the Constitution.

The Policy is also informed by valuable previous work on the following local documents:

Proposals to Support the Development of a Cayman Islands National Disability Action Plan/Planning

the Future for Persons with Disabilities in the Cayman Islands Steering Committee (July 2012).

Report of the Legal Subcommittee for Persons with Disabilities (17th February 2009).

Planning the Future for Persons with Disabilities Committee in the Cayman Islands (Subcommittee Report, May 2007).

All involved with the creation of these documents are commended for their valuable work in laying a foundation for the development of this Policy, which is expected to result in a number of general and specific benefits. More detailed acknowledgements are in Appendix B.

This Policy initiative has also considered international documents such as the   United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and the  European Convention on Human Rights (1950).

Broad Benefits of the Policy

The following are expected broad benefits for persons with disabilities, key stakeholders and society through the implementation of the CIDP goals:

Quality education in the most appropriate inclusive setting, as well as access to lifelong learning;

Equal access to employment opportunities, fair wage and benefits;

Access to the highest standard of health care;

Independence and full inclusion in society; and

Informed policy, legislation and services through the collection, analysis and dissemination of appropriate information regarding persons with disabilities.

Specific Benefits of the Policy

It is anticipated that the CIDP will benefit society on a wide scale.  With updated laws and regulations, educational improvements, structural changes in buildings and services which will cater to those amongst us who are differently abled, we look forward to a change in the society being more inclusive and open minded.

Families who currently have to care for persons with disabilities during adulthood will now be able to witness such persons enjoying a higher level of independence, where they can be more financially secure because they have the opportunity to be trained for a job; they are valued as equally contributing members of a company and are paid equal wages.  Persons with disabilities should be able to access medical care and specialist services locally where feasible, instead of having to travel overseas.  Children with disabilities should be guaranteed education in the least restrictive environment, thus ensuring that they are amalgamated into society from childhood.

Persons who do not have disabilities should be able to better understand the challenges and rewards those persons with disabilities live with every day. Mindsets should change as a result of the public education campaigns and the quest for true integration into society, resulting in the next generation of Caymanians growing up to be more accepting of persons with disabilities.

Further elaboration on the specific benefits of the Policy are described after the ‘Definitions’ in the subsequent five sections on the goals with their supporting strategies and aims.

GOAL 1 – Ensure persons with disabilities have a quality education in the most appropriate inclusive setting, and access to lifelong learning

GOAL 2 – Ensure persons with disabilities have equal access to employment opportunities, fair wage and benefits.

GOAL 3 – Ensure persons with disabilities have access to the highest standard of health care

GOAL 4 – Ensure persons with disabilities enjoy their highest level of independence and full inclusion in society

GOAL 5 – Collect, analyse and disseminate information on persons with disabilities to inform policy, legislation and services

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

Policy implementation is accomplished by actions supporting policy objectives, strategies, goals and – ultimately – the vision “Ensuring persons with disabilities live with dignity, are respected, and have the opportunity to participate fully in society”.  Such actions will be detailed in this Policy’s companion document in the form of Action Plans that also outline responsible parties, resources, timelines and progress or success indicators. For implementation to happen efficiently, effectively and in an accountable manner, the following should inform it:

Action Plans will be categorised in phases to facilitate phased implementation of the Policy based on quick wins, ease of implementation, available resources, needed legislation and other relevant factors.  The quantity of actions required to be implemented to operationalise this Policy is vast and may appear daunting. Helping to address this, phased implementation clarifies implementation of short, medium and long-term objectives, strategies and goals, all aimed at achieving the vision of this Policy.  Phasing plans may be adjusted by the Council for reasons similar to those outlined below.

Action plans will need to be adjusted by the Council as deemed necessary, in consultation with others. Here are a few scenarios justifying adjustments to action plans: 1) Certain actions may happen sooner or later than anticipated.  2) More or less resources may be required. 3) Responsible parties may change. 4) A better method may become obvious on accomplishing an action, etc.

The Council in its role as a “watchdog” on disability matters may, through direct contact or via other means (e.g. through the media), offer praise for exemplary implementation, as well as urge improvements where necessary.

The Council should at all times have access to information held by Government entities regarding implementation status. This facilitates the Council’s role as an advocate and watchdog entity on disability matters.

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