Presentation of the national policy on disability inclusion

©Direction de la Communication/Manuel Vitali

The Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Christophe ROBINO, announced the launch of a national policy for disability inclusion in the Principality, at an event attended by the Minister of State, the President of the National Council, members of the Prince’s Government, and numerous Monegasque personalities and non-profit organisations.
Also present was Ms Sophie CLUZEL, who served as French Secretary of State for People with Disabilities between 2017 and 2022 during President Emmanuel Macron’s first term. Invited to address the event, she spoke about her support for an “inclusive society” for disabled people and a disability strategy led from the very top, and involving every part of society. Because disability concerns everyone.

The Minister of Health and Social Affairs has appointed Lionel GALFRE, Technical Advisor responsible for people with disabilities, to head up the new policy at the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.

The National Policy on Disability Inclusion encompasses nine key areas for action:

1. Public awareness about all forms of disabilities
2. Education and training
3. Employment
4. Housing and construction
5. Mobility and accessibility
6. Support and assistance
7. Access to sport, culture, and leisure
8. Information about what has been and is being done for people with disabilities
9. International recognition

“I’m Ready” initiative launched with a fresh and modern visual identity

To make Monaco a place of excellence for disability inclusion in the future, the Government is inviting all stakeholders in society to sign up to a pact, designed to ensure each and every one is “ready”. Ready to receive, welcome, understand, hire, educate, train, and work with disabled people.

Christophe ROBINO summed up the goals of this new national plan in a few words: “Communicate, educate, support - these are the key principles of the ministerial policy on disability inclusion and professional integration built on this national disability plan.

I wanted this new phase of our national disability inclusion policy to be represented by a new visual identity, designed to unite people around a modern and dynamic project to raise awareness and bring the whole of Monegasque society on board. It’s everybody’s business, and the goal is to be ready!”

The first practical actions have already begun

Even before more concrete measures in the nine target areas are deployed, the first steps have already been taken with a number of actions and projects launched:

- A network dubbed “Nothing about us without us” has been set up in conjunction with non-profit organisations to identify difficulties and suggest practical solutions to help people with disabilities, and improve existing measures.
- A disability network has been created within the government’s public services to include disabilities naturally.
- “Testers/validators” have been appointed to ensure that facilities for disabled people meet requirements.
- Information about all disabilities at every stage of life has been centralised on the Government’s website, to ensure it can be accessed by all.
- A support guide for employers and employees has been produced.
- A new “Disabled priority” card has been created, designed to be more visible when used.
- An active campaign has been organised to ensure as many shops and restaurants as possible in the Principality are fully accessible.
- A guide has been produced for venues open to the public (including those hosting private events), to “get ready” to welcome people with disabilities.
- Training is now provided to civil servants, to explain and raise awareness about disabilities.
- A mobile app has been made available, to help disabled people get around in Monaco.

Raising awareness about disabilities to dispel cliches and overcome prejudice

As the audience at the presentation was reminded:

- There are a billion people living with disability in the world.
- And 80% of disabilities are invisible.

Lionel GALFRE also said that “making disability known and understood by all is an essential step on the path to a Principality that truly includes disabled people, not just in word, but in deed and in spirit. That can be achieved through a pragmatic policy, hand in hand with the associations that work every day in the interests of people with visible or invisible disabilities and every public and private stakeholder in Monegasque society. Our goal is for everyone in the future to be able to say “I’m ready”. Ready to receive, welcome, understand, hire, educate, train, and work with disabled people.”

For more information, visit the “Handipact Monaco” LinkedIn page:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/handipact-monaco/