A National Policy on Disabilities was applauded by members of Parliament on Friday, but the Opposition now wants words put into action.

Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Wayne Perinchief, presented the National Policy to the House of Assembly to cross-party support.

He said it aimed “to ensure that disabled persons have every opportunity to reach their individual potential and to see the removal of barriers that prevent their full participation in Bermudian society”.

Mr. Perinchief classed a disability as a long-term health condition lasting more than six months, which can include physical, emotional or learning difficulties. According to the 2000 Census, disability affects 3,000 residents on the Island — five percent of the population.

Almost a quarter — 23 percent — of 16 to 64-year-olds reported back or spine problems, while 33 percent of seniors suffered from arthritis. Among 200 people with a learning disability, 118 were cared for by relatives — many of whom were over 60-years-old.

Mr. Perinchief said: “These statistics speak volumes about the magnitude and impact of disability on people in our community — from disabled persons themselves, to their friends, family and support networks.”

He said the National Policy was the result of action by then Minister of Health and Family Services Patrice Minors, who appointed a Committee to address the issue in January 2005. The committee was formed to develop a National Policy, by setting down guiding principles; objectives in access, housing, health, education, transport, communication and training; overall goals and objectives. Technical officers from the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged assisted in drafting policy, and the team reviewed legislation not only from Bermuda, but from other countries around the world.

Mr. Perinchief said: “The report indicates that, in Bermuda, people with disabilities are subject to violations of their human rights, a lack of understanding of their abilities and incomplete or non-existent accommodations required to participate fully in everyday life.”

He said parents of disabled children felt their children’s needs were not being “accurately identified and consistently met” within the education system, while qualified people remained unemployed through discrimination. Mr. Perinchief added: “Existing planning legislation is violated when inaccessible buildings exist and inaccessible renovations and new construction continue to occur across Bermuda.

“As a result, people with disabilities have to change healthcare providers, transportation routes to work, and have limited access to buildings in general and recreational and sporting events.”

The report also concluded that “stigma regarding mental illness continues to inhibit people from getting necessary medical intervention, educational or employment accommodations, and housing and financial assistance that would promote success at home, work and in the community”.

People with hearing problems also had no access to local television news, due to a lack of closed captioning.

For these reasons, he said, the National Policy on Disability would look to effect changes across all aspects of society.

Mr. Perinchief said the committee identified 155 objectives based on the principles of equal opportunity, accountability, and mutual respect.

He stressed the need for more public awareness; greater access to buildings and transport; and more inclusion by employers.

“Bermuda must aim to become a barrier-free community,” he said. “Each and everyone of us could become disabled tomorrow, and each and every one of us will age. It is extremely likely that many of us will experience a disabling condition in our lives, particularly as we get older. Therefore, this policy is personal to each of us. Government can provide a framework for action, but we will still need the community to embrace it and commit to it.”

The need now was for a plan, said Mr. Perinchief, and so Government would set up a National Accessibility Advisory Council to implement policy and strategy. This body will also review legislation and advise Government on best practice.

Mr. Perinchief said: “The Policy lays the foundation, which enables us to achieve a vision of ‘inclusion for all’ and we all have a responsibility for making this vision real.”

Opposition members expressed their support for the National Policy, but said Government should have already put its goals into action.

Shadow Minister of Social Rehabilitation Suzann Roberts-Holshouser said: “This is a silent world for many individuals, and that silence can have a life sentence. I am pleased on behalf of the Opposition to begin the discussions the paper has brought to us.

“We are all susceptible to disabilities and should not take anything for granted.

“What we are looking for now are the changes of legislation that will come before this House, which will enable this National Policy on Disability to come into effect. There is a lot to be done. A plan is no good if you shelve it — we must take action, and hopefully with the input here today, we will see some changes. I would like to see legislation here today.”

She added: “I want to know when the legislation is coming.

“It is more than what you say but what you do which speaks louder than words.”

Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser called for more funding into occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists on the Island, and for more education to increase awareness of disability among members of the public.

“We must start to take action,” she said.

Patrice Minors, former Government Health Minister, said: “This document is a recognition by this Government that we need to improve conditions for people with disabilities. This committee will try to persuade our local television stations to try to put in place closed captions. It is also important we acknowledge people with disabilities to be able to express themselves in sport more than we do so now.”

Mrs. Minors said: “It’s a plan and is setting a foundation for the next step to look at all of our legislation and at the issues.”

Shadow Minister of Health Louise Jackson praised the report for its comprehensiveness.

However, she said: “Our concern is this report should have really been put before this House as a piece of legislation. This has been going on for years where we have no legislation, but we will go one from here and hope one day it will happen. “We need something with teeth so employers and other people will abide by legislation to protect people with disabilities.”

Government MP Nelson Bascome said: “We all need to think along the lines that disability could happen to anyone, and so change the mindset of our community. So many times, as able-bodied persons, we believe we are far and between, but we are just an accident away from becoming disabled.”

And Government backbencher Glenn Blakeney spoke of his 16-year-old son who has cerebral palsy. “As a result of our experiences on the Island we became members of a support group,” he said. “It was a minority group, but we are committed and are here today and I think that the support is from both sides.”

Education Minister Randy Horton said his family have personally experienced the disability issues, having a daughter who suffered from hearing loss in one ear and who has only partial hearing in the other.

“I have a daughter who is hearing impaired and, living and seeing my daughter grow, she was treated like everyone else,” he said. “She was main-streamed but only after she spent time in a boarding school from the age of eight. What this bill shows is the progression we are making.”