Island Plan 2022-25: Approval (P.36/2021) – twenty-first amendment Disability Inclusion – Active Travel

STATES OF JERSEY

ISLAND PLAN 2022-25: APPROVAL (P.36/2021) – TWENTY FIRST AMENDMENT

DISABILITY INCLUSION – ACTIVE TRAVEL

Lodged au Greffe on 12th July 2021 by Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.36/2021 Amd.(21)

ISLAND PLAN 2021: APPROVAL (P.36/2021): TWENTY-FIRST AMENDMENT ____________

PAGE 2 –

After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" insert the words "except –

1. to request that the Minister for the Environment makes appropriate adjustments to ensure that considerations for disability and inclusion are more explicitly incorporated in the chapter of the draft Island Plan 2022-2025 on Active Travel; and
2. that, within the Proposal entitled "Active Travel Network", after the word "stakeholders" there should be inserted the words "; the Disability Inclusion Group;""

DEPUTY I. GARDINER OF ST. HELIER

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows – THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to approve, in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002, as amended by the Covid-19 (Island Plan) (Jersey) Regulations 2021, the draft Island Plan 2022-25, except –

1. to request that the Minister for the Environment makes appropriate adjustments to ensure that considerations for disability and inclusion are more explicitly incorporated in the chapter of the draft Island Plan 2022-2025 on Active Travel;and
2. that, within the Proposal entitled "Active Travel Network", after the word "stakeholders" there should be inserted the words "; the Disability InclusionGroup;""

[1]REPORT

Inaccessible transport is a commonly cited barrier to people with disabilities accessing core services and participating fully in all aspects of life. It is important that when designing inclusive travel systems, that there is consultation with a wide range of people's experiences when travelling around the Island in order to meet a broad base of needs.

Key considerations

• 14% of Islanders experience some form of disability.

• 41% of disabled Islanders experience difficulty travelling around Jersey

• 39% of disabled Islanders experience difficulty moving around other places1

Defining disability by type of impairment (such as Sensory or mobility impairments) can mean that many people are not included in estimates, despite encountering difficulties in everyday life, therefore they are at risk of exclusion from the very plans designed to improve their quality of life.

From Accessibility & Inclusion to full Participation

Government of Jersey, through the Disability Strategy, has endorsed the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Person's with Disabilities (UN CRPD)[2]  the Convention and related work globally has provided a strong policy structure and development tools in order to support signatories and supporters to do this at both a global level and at city and neighbourhood levels.

Current resources regarding urban planning and development and UN CRPD can be used to support inclusion of disabled islanders and visitors fully. One such document: - The Inclusion Imperative can assist with providing the basis of a framework by placing accessibility as both a human right and a cope principle of development:

"Environmental barriers are not simply obstacles to full participation, they can limit governance and decision-making processes. The lack of participation of persons with disabilities in urban affairs is one of the biggest challenges facing this large and diverse group"[3]

Financial and manpower implications

The financial implications of this amendment would be directly linked to the costs and location of new builds. All building contractors should be aware of the new requirements which are anticipated.

Child Rights Impact Assessment review

This amendment has been assessed in relation to the Bridging Island Plan CRIA. The adoption of this amendment would have a positive impact with regard to Article 23 of the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), which requires

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governments to do all they can to support children with disabilities and their families, to ensure that a child with a disability can live a full and decent life with dignity, and as far as possible, have independence and be able to play an active part in the community.

Re-Issue Note

This amendment has been re-issued due to a numbering error. Pages 2-4 were marked as Amd. (22)'; this has been correct to Amd. (21)'.