International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024

Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we come together under this year’s theme: amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. This a reminder of the urgency to ensure full participation, representation, and inclusion, empowering persons with disabilities to shape the conditions of their own lives.

As politicians, it is our responsibility to recognise that amplifying leadership begins with ensuring
meaningful political participation for all. From making voting systems fully accessible—so that every
individual can make their voice heard at the ballot box—to building inclusive governance systems that
embrace technology to amplify diverse perspectives, our actions must embody the global disability
rights slogan: “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
Globally, over 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability. Yet, despite this,
persons with disabilities remain underrepresented in leadership roles and decision-making processes.
Here in Gibraltar, we share the responsibility to challenge this disparity and to remove the barriers
that prevent full inclusion.

Making Gibraltar’s Parliament and all public spaces fully accessible is not a luxury or a privilege – it is a
fundamental right and a necessity. Accessibility must be at the core of our vision for a fairer society.
Achieving full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life should not be
merely an aspiration; it must be an unyielding commitment and a reality.

We remain determined to advance meaningful legislative changes, including the extension of the UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to create a Gibraltar where every person has the
opportunity to contribute to building a more equitable and sustainable future.

As the Opposition, we reaffirm our pledge to push forward key reforms. Among them, we continue to
advocate for the creation of an independent body to regulate and monitor health and care services.
This essential step will have a transformative impact on service users and their families, building trust
and transparency within our community. These and other reforms, shaped by the voices of those with
lived experience, remain at the heart of our vision for progress.

Shadow Minister for Disability, Atrish Sanchez, notes: “Today is a day for reflection, awareness, and
action. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us of the importance of listening,
learning, and, most crucially, acting. The Global Disability Rights Movement slogan, ‘Nothing About Us
Without Us,’ resonates deeply with our work. I am extremely grateful to everyone who has taken the time
to share their experiences and ideas with us to date. My door will always remain open because this is
about ensuring that every single person is heard, seen, included and valued. I also wish to express my
gratitude to the dedicated professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly in this vital sector—your
contributions are invaluable.”