The proposed support group for people with disabilities in Bathurst is not a new one and I must express that I am disappointed that the correspondent would feel “horrified” if any group got an official status or recognition from “Bathurst Regional   Council or from any other organisations in Bathurst”.

I don’t want to break it too harshly to your readers, but there is a committee already talking on disability issues.

This committee is Bathurst Regional Access Committee.

It is an independent group of people, already in part propped up by both elected officials and paid officials from Bathurst Regional Council, and it does “speak for every person with a disability in your community” without qualification, even if you don’t agree.

“The last thing that people with disabilities need is a group asking for more special attention from the people of Bathurst,” your correspondent says.

Well, it does.

I would kindly suggest that the correspondent attend any council meeting and listen closely to what the chairman and the secretary - who are currently the same person - discuss during the platform of council public question time regarding what the Bathurst Regional Access Committee has achieved.

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Bathurst Regional Council should have a council committee that has fully qualified social workers, engineers and other relevant stakeholders - including persons looking after, caring for and the people with the disabilities having a direct say as to their everyday needs.

I disagree that “this support group sends the wrong message to the community and leads us down the wrong direction”.

The Bathurst Regional Access Committee should be asking Bathurst Regional Council why it does not have a council committee of qualified people to advise it on both people with disabilities and access issues.

Stakeholders should ask why Bathurst Regional Access Committee and Bathurst Regional Council haven’t opened up or widened its scope to include disabilities.

I respect the position of the correspondent and I respect his words and his concerns.

However, I think a committee bringing the stakeholders together with the carers and the clients is going to be a great idea.

No bad will come of it.