Persons with disabilities to access services swiftly |18 April 2023

Mrs Morin and Mr Gerry during the press conference yesterday (Photo: Joena Meme)

•       Registration for fast-track card starts on May 1

Persons with disabilities will soon be able to register for the fast-track card, which was launched on December 7, 2022, now that the procedures and logistics have been finalised.

The announcement was made yesterday by the Elderly and Disabled Division (EDD) within the Family department, which is offering the new service, that will allow persons with disabilities to access various services within the public and private sector promptly.

During a press conference yesterday at its headquarters at the Oliaji Building, Victoria, the Elderly and Disabled Division said everything was now in place and registration will start by May 1.

According to the division’s director-general, Rosa Morin, once they receive the cards, the recipients will be able to access services such as banks and health centres without having to wait, making things much easier for them.

“When the division was first launched, we met with many parents whose children were disabled and other people living with disabilities, and one of their key concerns was their experience while accessing services, which sometimes took too long,” she said.

The fast-track card falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family, and will include personal details and the recipient’s photo. It will be issued only with proof of a medical certificate.

Mrs Morin said forms of registration will be available at their headquarters at Oliaji Building, Trade Centre, Room 204, at the district administration offices, as well as the Social Affairs department and will soon be available online.

“After returning the forms, the division will classify the documents and procedures for photographs will be announced in the media. We are planning to do this per district as it will be more convenient,” said Mrs Morin.

Around two thousand persons with disabilities registered with the Agency for Social Protection are expected to benefit with this new service, which will also allow the EDD to update its system, as those not already captured will be coming forward to register. The fast-track card is for life.

During yesterday’s press conference, the EDD also announced that the existing bus pass or Travel Card accessible to people living with disabilities, will now be renewed every two years instead of every 3 months as is the case. This will also come into force as from May 1, 2023.  The Travel Card is also issued for pensioners aged 65 years and above.

The division said the new process is to ensure that the existing service is being managed properly, in line with EDD’s mandate, to improve the overall well-being of both target populations.

The director for Disabled, Marco Gerry, said the idea of a disabled person renewing their card after just three months was not practical. “It does not make sense for them to renew their card every 3 months because one; it is very inconvenient for them and two, they will have that disability probably for the rest of their lives and nothing would have really changed in such a short period,” he said.

After two years, each application will be re-evaluated to see if the person is still eligible for the service, which is provided free of charge.

Diane Larame