“Many new commercial and office buildings are going up all over Honiara but very few make any concessions to people with mobility problems.
“It is high time a building code was introduced by the City Council to make all new buildings accessible to people who cannot climb steps. Every new building should have an entrance ramp. The new Bulk shop at Rove is a perfect example of a building with such a ramp.
Given it is true there many citizens with diabetes and also true there are numerous people having had lower limb amputations and in need of mobility aids, such as crutches or wheel chairs (a subject I raised only a couple of days ago) I share Gena’s concern about buildings needing to have access facilities for people with mobility problems, but take her word for the situation not having seen the situation she described for myself.
I look at the problem from a Human Rights perspective and one which invokes discrimination against people with disabilities.
Several countries have laws which protect the rights of people with disabilities, including the rights of access to premises.
It provides Britain with a discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society.
I believe the Solomon Islands Government has at heart the need for the rights for disabled people and will continue to do so but the situation described by Gena Areca does need to be addressed, by legislation if necessary so that businesses and premises are made accessible for dis
I understand that in terms of the UK Equality Act 2010, many of the adjustments that businesses and property developers were required to make to their premises qualified for tax relief and the legal guidelines clarified the reliefs available in relation to several of the most common types of adjustments in order to assist businesses and property developers to comply fully with the law.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short