Introduction

The main source of information for disabled people and people with health conditions is the Health Information Exchange. This is a charity whose principle objective is to develop and run an information service meeting the needs of people with disabilities and health conditions. Their service is free. A link to the Health Information Exchange website, which provides their contact details, can be found on the right hand side of this page.

The States of Guernsey also provides a grant to the Information Exchange to provide a Health Travel Information Service. This service exists to ensure that those being referred for treatment in the UK and their families can have the information they need.

The rest of this webpage provides a brief overview of some of the services provided by States Departments for disabled people or people with special educational needs. However, for further information, please contact the Health Information Exchange.

Disability Discrimination Legislation

The Prevention of Discrimination (Enabling Provisions) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2004 empowers the States to make provision by Ordinance in relation to the prevention of discrimination by reason of, inter alia, disability; but no such Ordinance has yet been passed in relation to disability discrimination.

In 2008 a letter from the Ministry of Justice in the UK explained that the United Kingdom is currently preparing to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and asked whether Guernsey would wish the Convention to be extended to the Bailiwick in due course. This matter is being considered by the External Relations Group which has established that it will have to be laid before the States.

The Social Policy Group are supportive of extending the convention to Guernsey in principle, but more time is required to consider Departmental policies and procedures and report on the time and resource implications, including for example the need for disability discrimination legislation.  The Group is currently working on a number of other projects which, from a resource perspective, need to be completed before such a report can be prepared.

This means that there is currently no equivalent of the UK's Disability Discrimination Act in Guernsey. It is something that is likely to be considered by the States of Guernsey in the future.

Disability Forum

Under the Corporate Anti-Poverty Programme, the Health and Social Services Department has set up up a disability forum to work in partnership with all departments, charities, professionals and organisations in relation to disability matters on the island.

The aims of the forum are: -

• To increase awareness of disability issues and developments both locally and elsewhere,
• To encourage partnership working between disabled people, statutory services and agencies and independent providers,
• To develop a model for future consultation with disabled people,
• To generate new thinking and the sharing of ideas, information, experiences and knowledge on any aspect associated with disability.
• To keep in touch with developments in the UK regarding progress in establishing a National Forum for Organisations of Disabled People (NFDP),
• To provide service providers and professionals with the opportunity to meet directly with disabled people other than in a patient/professional relationship,
• To act as the representative planning group for disability, identifying gaps in provision, advising on the effectiveness of current provision and submitting proposals for inclusion in plans and strategies,
• To provide a forum for the coming together of groups associated with disability, promoting equality and inclusion,
• To encourage and support the participation of disabled people and their families in the planning and provision of services.

Membership of the forum includes the following people: -

• Director of Public Health
• Director of Adult Services
• Service User council representative[s] (learning disability)
• Parent/Carer Council representative[s] (learning disability)
• Advocacy Worker
• GP representative
• Senior Manager (ADSES)
• Professional Advisory Group representative[s] (Learning Disability and
• Physical and Sensory Disability)
• Voluntary Agency representative[s]
• States Departments representatives

The definition of disability which has been considered by the forum is: -

"A disability is that which excludes, blocks, or prevents people with an impairment from being included fully within society."

The first meeting of the voluntray organisations subgroup took place in March 2008. The first meeting of the States representatives subgroup took place in the autumn of 2008 and the full forum has met three times between December 2008 and April 2009.

Commerce and Employment Department - employment legislation

Guernsey Law provides no rights or protections for disabled people in employment. Unlike the UK, there is no requirement for employers to make reasonable adjustments for employees who become, or who are disabled. However, whilst there is no specific Disability Discrimination Legislation, if someone were to be dismissed because of a disability, they could bring a claim of 'unfair dismissal' under The Employment Protection (Guernsey) Law, 1998 if they thought the dismissal 'unfair'. It would then be for the Employment & Discrimination Tribunal to decide if in all the circumstances of the case, the employer treated it as a 'sufficient reason' for dismissal and whether 'the employer acted fairly and reasonably in all the circumstances of the case'. If the employee wins their case they would be awarded up to a maximum, 6 months pay. The Law does not require, and the Tribunal cannot order, reinstatement.

Please contact the Commerce and Employment Department's Industrial Relations Service for further information. Please click here for further details.
 

Culture and Leisure Department - access to leisure facilities

Beau Sejour has the following facilities: -

• Accesssible parking outside the centre
• Accessible toilets on all levels
• Hoist in swimming pool
• Accessible showers for swimming and for dry sports
• Large cubicles for wheelchair users in wet changing rooms
• Hearing loop reception and theatre
• Large accessible changing room in the wet change with hoist
• Swimming for disabled people on a Thursday evening
• The Gym has special equipment for wheelchair users any info on this contact Helen Haywood 747233
• Lifts to all levels
• Life fit programme
• Spaces in the theatre for wheelchair users
• Disability liaison officer for any info regarding disability issues Contact Mrs Paulette Marquand 747216

The Guernsey Information Centre has a lift outside to get into the reception area. They also have Radar keys for sale.

Candie Museum has good access for disabled people and toilets.

Footes Lane has no problem with access for wheelchair users. It also has accessible showers and toilets.

Unfortunately there is no access for wheelchair users at Castle Cornet and Fort Grey, although this is something that the Department has tried to look into.

Education Department - schools

The Education Department maintains two special needs schools for those pupils whose educational needs are better met outside of mainstream schools. For information on then accessibility of other buildings, please contact either the school directly or the main Education Department on 710821.

The Department runs a minibus transport services for pupils attending the two special needs schools.

The Department is in the process of preparing leaflets on services for children with special educational needs and these will be available to download shortly.

The educational sensory support services website can be accessed here.

Environment Department - access to buildings and transport

Building Control

With regard to access to public buildings, the building control section of the Environment Department has advised that new builds and extensions have to comply with minimum access requirements. However, under current building control legislation there is no provision for the imposition of such requirements with respect to existing buildings.

Transport

The Traffic section of the Environment Department has a leaflet on transport issues for disabled people which can be download here. The department issues disabled parking permits at no charge.

For further information on bus services, please click here.

Health and Social Services Department - services for adults with a disability and services for children with a disability

Adults with a Disability and Supported Employment Services

Adults with a Disability and Supported Employment Services provide Day, Employment, Accommodation and Respite Services for adults with a learning disability. There is also a Community Disability Service, which includes a multidisciplinary team for adults with a learning disability, and a Community Disability Team providing support for adults with physical and/or sensory impairments.
They aim to offer a person-centred approach, proactive and seamless services delivered by skilled and committed staff.

ADSES maintains a learning disability register with approximately 230 adults with a learning disability. The service aims to follow best practice based on the ‘Valuing People’ white paper by developing strategic initiatives to provide accommodation, improve transport and mobility, create employment opportunities, promote good health and ease the transition from education to adult life.

Six residential homes provide accommodation for 50 service users, while 24 others are able to live in their own homes with the help of specialist staff, via our supported living network. The Health and Social Services Department also funds various placements in the UK for adults whose needs cannot be easily met in Guernsey such as those with severe challenging behaviour and / or complex health needs. There are many others who live at home with family who require additional support from the community team.

Services for people with physical and/or sensory impairment are still becoming established. This team consists of a Multiple Sclerosis / Parkinsons clinical nurse specialist, social worker and occupational therapist. The team works closely with service users, their relatives/carers, other departments, private and voluntary sector to meet the needs of this service user group.  The team is in the process of identifying the types of service needed and exploring how those needs can best be met.

The Service also works in partnership with other voluntary services, for Example: Health Information Exchange; Headway; Mencap; Menfun; Grow ltd; Ron Short Centre and Advocacy services which include a ‘Befrienders Scheme for adults with a learning disability.

Adult Disability and Supported Employment Services
St Martins Community Centre
La Rue Maze
St Martin’s
Guernsey
GY4 6LL

Tel: 230000 or email  hssd-adsesadminteam@hssd.gov.gg

Home Department - Police/Prison/Probation Service/Fire/Customs

Police Station

There is free off-street parking for callers to Police Headquarters.  There is access via a lift to the public enquiry office where a hearing loop is installed.  (Sign displayed).  Information leaflets are on a low table and call button is accessible.  The counter has a low section for wheelchair users or shorter visitors.  There are also suitably equipped toilet facilities adjacent to the enquiry office.  A minicom (text) is installed in the police control room.

The vast majority of policing services are provided by officers who are out in the community, not just at Police Headquarters and can be accessed by all members of the community.

The Police Force operates a P.L.O.D. scheme - Police Link Officer for the Deaf.  Help for the deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, deafblind, blind and partially sighted.  The current contact is Police Constable Mike Chart - 725111 ext. 2466. 

Customs and Immigration Service

The Customs and Immigration Service public enquiry office on the New Jetty, white Rock has a wheelchair ramp and a wheelchair accessible toilet. There is a disabled parking space outside the public enquiry office

Probation Office (in new Market complex)

Lift access to the Probation Office is in Fountain Street, opposite Hansa Foods. The double doors into the building are difficult to access for wheelchair users without help. If assistance is required, please press the intercom on the right hand side of the door and someone will come to help.

The nearest accessible parking is either in Church Square or in Market Street. If a client has difficulty accessing the building then a home visit would be available.

The Probation Service intends in the near future to audio record its leaflets.

Guernsey Prison

There is disabled access throughout Guernsey Prison; visitors should notify the Prison in advance if possible if wheelchair access is required.

Fire and Rescue Service

Following the Station refurbishment there is wheelchair access on the ground floor of the Fire Station, also the provision of an accessible WC and washbasin facility.

When a Home Fire Safety Check is carried out the needs of the occupants are considered. The Fire and Rescue Service can also provide Smoke Detection systems which include a flashing light and vibrating pillow pad for the hard of hearing.

Central Services

Disabled access is possible to the ground floor of the building; however, wheelchair users may require help to get through the outside door.There is one parking space for short term visitors immediately outside of Les Vardes House.

Housing Department - housing

Most of the Housing Department’s services and legislative roles apply equally to everyone, whether or not they are disabled. More details on the full range of Housing Department’s services, mandate and its Housing Strategy are available on this website under Housing.

The Housing Department may be able to offer rental accommodation for disabled people who are in a household with a low income, subject to an assessment of housing needs and financial circumstances. The two types of accommodation involved are:

(1) long-term residential care homes for older people (Maison Maritaine and Longue Rue House). Contact details, a brochure on the homes and a leaflet called “Information for Older People with a disability” are available on the housing website.

(2) social housing rented to low income households (States Houses). The social housing stock includes units of accommodation that have been specially adapted for people with a significant medical condition such as those requiring accommodation to be adapted for wheelchair use.  The Housing Department’s Allocation Policy sets out the eligibility criteria for its social housing. All cases are dealt with individually on their merits and therefore disabled people who are potential applicants for social housing are advised to make further contact with the Housing Department on 01481 717210.

There are other external organisations that also offer accommodation for people with a low income and/or special accommodation needs. These bodies may be able to assist disabled people:

(1) The Guernsey Housing Association - The GHA is an independent not-for-profit company formed in 2002 that works in partnership with the Housing Department to provide social rented housing and partial ownership purchase for local Guernsey people whose housing needs cannot be met in the local housing market. A percentage of their housing stock is designed for the physically disabled. For further information see the link on the right hand side of this page. 

(2) Rosaire Sheltered Housing -  Housing21 manages the first extra care scheme for Guernsey’s older people. It is targeted at Islanders aged 55 and above. It is a mix of social housing units at Rosaire Court and units for lease/purchase at Rosaire Gardens. For further information see the link on the right hand side of this page.

Public Services - accessibility of ports and airports

Harbours

Ferry Terminal

Access at the St Peter Port ferry terminal building is on one level with accessible toilet facilities.  There is also ramped access to the ‘Portacabin’ toilet facilities in the car check-in compound.  Passengers requiring assistance to board or disembark ferries should contact their ferry operator.

Marinas

The disabled facilities for marina visitors on the Albert Pier include accessible shower and toilet facilities and a dedicated disabled access pontoon and gangway in the Victoria Marina.  Please contact the Marina Office on 0(+44)1481 725987 to discuss your requirements.

Airport

Further information for passengers who require assistance can be found here.

Social Security Department - benefits

Information on the Social Security Department's benefit rates can be found here. Those benefits that may be of particular interest are: -

• Attendance Allowance
• Invalid Care Allowance
• Sickness/Invalidity Benefits
• Industrial Injury Benefit
• Industrial Disablement Benefit
• Supplementary Benefit

A number of online leafltes are available to download.

The Department also runs a number of schemes to help people back to work. Please click here for further details.

If anyone arrives at the Social Security Department and needs assistance, please ask the receptionist located at the entrance (hearing loop). If someone is unable to access any of the floors the receptionist will ask a member of staff to come down to the reception area to respond to the customer.  A home visit could be arranged for any matter which cannot de dealt with over the telephone or in writing or where it is clear that a home visit is the most appropriate option.

Sir Charles Frossard House

Sir Charles Frossard House has a number of disabled parking spaces, wheelchair access to levels 2 and 3 and lift access to other floors.

Website Review

The States website is being reviewed as part of the Government Business Plan/States Strategic Plan. It is hoped that, as part of this process, further information can be made available for disabled people and that this can be made more accessible.