Miss-Delectable
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NI Bill of Rights needed to protect the most vulnerable - Letters, Entertainment - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Human Rights are universal, and we will all benefit, both individually and as a society, from the proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
A strong and inclusive Bill of Rights is needed to ensure protection for the most vulnerable in our society. Deaf people are amongst those who are most isolated in our society, particularly when it comes to education.
The Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI) School leavers survey in 2006 showed that 48.4 percent of hearing impaired pupils attain five or more GCSE’s compared to 64.4 percent of their hearing peers, and 30.8 percent of hearing impaired pupils attain two or more A level’s compared to 44.8 percent of their hearing peers.
We also send many deaf 11-year-olds to schools in Dublin or England to pursue their education. What right to family life do they have if they cannot access an education to suit their needs and ability here in Northern Ireland and are forced to live apart from family?
What choices does a deaf student have in terms of employment and training if, for example, their range of subjects at GCSE or A Level is limited to when an Interpreter or Communication Support Worker might be available? Deaf students have to study whichever subjects are available, whereas their hearing peers can chose those which best match their future career or training aspirations.
A strong framework of rights for all, which provides protection for the most vulnerable, is the mark of a civilised society, and one which can allow all its citizens to prosper, flourish and achieve their potential. The advice on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland handed over from the Human Rights Commission to the Secretary of State in December 2008 had the capacity to deliver that.
The response to the Commission’s advice by the Northern Ireland Office contained within their current consultation document is weak, unacceptable and will do little to enhance the rights of the most vulnerable in society.
The Northern Ireland Office tasked the Human Rights Commission to provide them with advice on a Bill of Rights. They should now listen to that advice and bring forward legislation to give us the strong and inclusive Bill of Rights that the people of Northern Ireland deserve.
Human Rights are universal, and we will all benefit, both individually and as a society, from the proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
A strong and inclusive Bill of Rights is needed to ensure protection for the most vulnerable in our society. Deaf people are amongst those who are most isolated in our society, particularly when it comes to education.
The Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI) School leavers survey in 2006 showed that 48.4 percent of hearing impaired pupils attain five or more GCSE’s compared to 64.4 percent of their hearing peers, and 30.8 percent of hearing impaired pupils attain two or more A level’s compared to 44.8 percent of their hearing peers.
We also send many deaf 11-year-olds to schools in Dublin or England to pursue their education. What right to family life do they have if they cannot access an education to suit their needs and ability here in Northern Ireland and are forced to live apart from family?
What choices does a deaf student have in terms of employment and training if, for example, their range of subjects at GCSE or A Level is limited to when an Interpreter or Communication Support Worker might be available? Deaf students have to study whichever subjects are available, whereas their hearing peers can chose those which best match their future career or training aspirations.
A strong framework of rights for all, which provides protection for the most vulnerable, is the mark of a civilised society, and one which can allow all its citizens to prosper, flourish and achieve their potential. The advice on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland handed over from the Human Rights Commission to the Secretary of State in December 2008 had the capacity to deliver that.
The response to the Commission’s advice by the Northern Ireland Office contained within their current consultation document is weak, unacceptable and will do little to enhance the rights of the most vulnerable in society.
The Northern Ireland Office tasked the Human Rights Commission to provide them with advice on a Bill of Rights. They should now listen to that advice and bring forward legislation to give us the strong and inclusive Bill of Rights that the people of Northern Ireland deserve.