Stroke survivor to help deliver disability strategy

Sunday 20 September 2020

A local stroke survivor is one of two islanders to be appointed to help deliver a new strategy to help people living with disabilities enjoy a good quality of life.

In their new roles in the Government's Customer and Local Services Department, Stephanie de la Cour and Anthony Lewis will work across the community to support the inclusion of all disabled islanders, raise awareness and promote cultural and organisational change.

Stephanie de la Cour has moved from another government position, and Anthony Lewis is a former journalist, and local campaigner for disability equality.

Pictured: The two new recruits will help deliver the Disability Strategy for Jersey. 

Anthony suffered a stroke in 2007, which left him with reduced mobility and aphasia: a communication disorder that affects his ability to speak, write and understand language.

Over the last decade, Anthony has been highlighting the issues that islanders with disabilities face, walking marathons to show that disability isn’t inability, and challenging politicians to live with a disability for a day.

He says he is “excited, nervous and happy” about starting his new role and looks forward to raising awareness of the “impact of disability, and how different people learn to overcome them.”

In their new roles, Anthony and Stephanie will help deliver the disability strategy, which sets out five key priorities for people with disabilities to:

1. Have support to communicate and access information;
2. Have greater access to the island;
3. Have good health and wellbeing;
4. Have access to education, employment and enriching activities;
5. Have equal rights and experience equality.

Director of Local Services, Paul McGinnety said: “We are delighted to welcome two Disability Inclusion Officers to our team in Customer and Local Services. They will support the delivery of the strategy and help to make positive changes for the disabled.”