SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 28th April. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Jesús Ramos Chinea, the deputy spokesperson for the Gomera Socialist Group Parliamentary Group (ASG), has urged the Canary Islands Government to promptly update the Canary Islands Law on Universal Accessibility. The current legislation, aimed at safeguarding equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, dates back to 1995.
Ramos highlighted the significance of this legislation for empowering municipalities and local councils to enhance their capabilities in this domain and foster a genuinely inclusive society. He called on parliamentary parties to collaborate in pushing the Government to swiftly revise the law.
The deputy underscored the vital role played by third sector organisations in this field, noting their proactive efforts that complement the work of public administrations. He stressed the need for improved coordination between these entities to ensure adequate funding for their impactful initiatives.
Ramos emphasised that while having accessibility laws and international conventions to safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities is crucial, financial investment is equally essential. Without adequate funding, legislative frameworks and well-intentioned agreements alone may not yield tangible outcomes.
He expressed concern about the challenges faced by people with disabilities in integrating into society on an equal footing, highlighting instances where reserved spots for them remain unfilled. Ramos advocated for the implementation of support mechanisms for employers willing to hire individuals from this demographic group.
Discussing employment regulations, he noted that while national law mandates companies with over 50 employees to reserve 2% of positions for individuals with disabilities, such conditions are rarely met in the Canary Islands due to the dominance of small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed individuals, exempt from this requirement.
Furthermore, he proposed leveraging new technologies to streamline the process for individuals with disabilities to demonstrate their status, for instance, through a digital identification card rather than cumbersome paperwork. Ramos criticised the failure to utilise modern advancements adequately to uphold their rights.
