Island Plan 2022-25: Approval (P.36/2021) – twenty-third amendment Disability Inclusion – Clauses

STATES OF JERSEY

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

DISABILITY INCLUSION – CLAUSES

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

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.36/2021 Amd.(23)

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

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

1. within Policy SP3, paragraph 4, after the words "accessible and inclusive design" there should be inserted the words "having regard to the needs of those with disabilities,";
2. within Policy SP7, after the words "meet the changing needs of individuals and families" there should be inserted the words "including those with disabilities and additional needs"; and
3. within Policy GD1, there should be inserted the following new paragraph 2 –

"2.  it  has  regard  to,  and  seeks  to  avoid  or  mitigate,  the  impact  of  the

development on the needs of people with disabilities."

and the subsequent paragraph re-numbered accordingly. 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 that –

1. within Policy SP3, paragraph 4, after the words "accessible and inclusivedesign" there should be inserted the words "having regard to the needs of thosewith disabilities,";
2. within Policy SP7, after the words "meet the changing needs of individuals and families" there should be inserted the words "including those with disabilitiesand additional needs"; and
3. within Policy GD1, there should be inserted the following new paragraph 2 –

"2.  it  has  regard  to,  and  seeks  to  avoid  or  mitigate,  the  impact  of  the

development on the needs of people with disabilities."

and the subsequent paragraph re-numbered accordingly.

REPORT

At a time where there is a global recognition of the rights of people with disabilities and additional needs and that "disability can be fluctuating and it can be invisible; an individual can feel or be considered to be disabled' in one situation, but not in another.... [Defining] disability as including those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others."[1] Any strategic and forward planning by Government of Jersey for and about the island and islanders, must include all people with disabilities and additional needs.

The three changes proposed in this amendment to the Bridging Island Plan are intended to reflect the States Assembly and Government of Jersey's commitment to all people with disabilities and additional needs in the Island, and to ensure that the ethos and intent of the Jersey Disability Strategy[2] is put into action through inclusion of needs within the following policies:

• Policy SP3 – Placemaking'

• Policy SP7 – Planning for community needs'

• Policy GD1 – Managing the health and wellbeing impact of new development'

Globally, persons with disabilities continue to be among those who are most excluded[3], including in gaining access to education, health services  and employment and in participating in political decision-making. As an island we should be ensuring Jersey's plan for the future strives to put accessibility for all islanders at the forefront of our minds. This is not just the right thing to do – inclusive places and attitudes improve everybody's experience.

Purple, a UK organisation, sees this as just making good business sense: "Talented employees with lived experience of disability offer fresh perspectives on the workplace and the consumer market that could help shape new and better products and services."[4] The Disability Strategy identified that "28% of disabled Islanders say that they have a lot of difficulty in getting the type or amount of paid work they want".[5] Having greater diversity in the work force means a stronger workforce; the amendments to the Island Plan ensure that no one is left behind, simply because the environment or the way we design both our community spaces, transport links, homes, shops and workplaces.

The Purple Pound' focuses on people with disabilities spending powers as one of the largest minority groups globally. At an estimated 14% of islanders, that is a large proportion of consumers, who could take their money elsewhere if local places and businesses are not empowered by government policies to be fully accessible and that the infrastructure is in place to enable all Islanders to visit and easily get to and from all parts of the Island.

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Islanders all should be able to access key areas of Island life, including civic participation. If voting stations or other locations where political and parish involvement and decisions are made, it is not just infringing peoples' rights, but also the Island will be missing out on the skills and experiences of a significant proportion of its population. The Government, through the Island Plan, can lead by example in enabling all to equality take part and contribute to Island Life.

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 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.