A Call For Legal Protection For Persons With Disabilities

A member of the Montserrat Disabilities Association has lamented the lack of legal protection for persons in Montserrat who are impaired.

Head of campaigns for the MAPD Craig Brewin says the lack of a legal framework meant that infrastructure projects in Montserrat are being developed without disability issues being considered.

Speaking at regional disability conference on Tuesday he pointed out that Montserrat has embarked on a significant redevelopment of its infrastructure with funding from the British Government, the European Union and the Caribbean Development Bank.

However, he says although disability issues are included in the funding agreements, addressing them is not a specific condition of receiving the aid.

Meantime, the government of Montserrat is moving toward legislation to protect persons with disabilities.

Parliamentary Secretary the Honourable Veronica Dorsette Hector recently confirmed that plans are afoot to draft a policy and legislation to assist persons with disabilities including the design of infrastructure.

She says it is the government’s intention to make Montserrat a more inclusive society.