Dallat backs learning disability rally
Thursday, 6 November 2008
John Dallat with people attending a learning disabilities rally at Stormont.
LOCAL SDLP Assembly Member, John Dallat, has called for better provision for people with learning disabilities following a rally at Stormont last week.
Cllr. Dallat said that people with learning disabilities are supposed to be protected by equality legislation enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement but the implementation of measures to deliver human rights in this field have "fallen fall short of what is fair and equitable".
He continued: "It is extremely worrying that time and time again vulnerable groups have to go to Stormont to demand their rights.
“It clearly indicates that the new assembly has yet to reach out to the weak and vulnerable in the way it was expected to do and that is yet another reason why the Executive should be meeting to address these issues promised but not delivered.
“Education is supposed to be life-long and tailored to the needs of the individuals yet the entire focus is on whether we should abolish or retain selection for those in main-stream schools."
Mr Dallat said that people with learning disabilities and those who represent them are right to make their voices heard.
He added: "I sincerely hope that the rally at Stormont, which was very well attended, will help focus political minds on those who don't scream from the rafters and have fallen badly behind in the provision of education and training for their needs.
“It was precisely for this and other reasons that the SDLP didn't support the Programme for Government and the Budget earlier in the year. Executive Funds and other provisions which had been in previous budgets were cruelly removed and that was fundamentally wrong. Now these gross errors of judgement are manifesting themselves against those who can least afford to endure them.
“Should this Assembly get out of its current mess it must ensure that any future adjustments to budgetary policies addresses the current shortfall in provision for people with learning disability and other well documented kinds of special needs."
