Shadow Minister of Labour, Home Affairs & Public Safety Patricia Gordon-Pamplin urged the Government to enforce the rights of the physically challenged in the motion to adjourn on Friday.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin, telling MPs that she wanted them to be aware of the challenges families face when they have a disadvantaged child, shared the story of an 18-year old disabled girl.

The young woman, who had attended "normal" summer day camps each year since she was young, will not be able to be enrolled in a camp this year because she has reached the age limit.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin pointed out that while the girl and others like her may have reached the age of 18 chronologically, she may only have the mind of a five or six-year old.

"This has to be one of the most heart-wrenching tales ever to be told," she said.

"The Government should articulate its intent to enforce the rights that our physically challenged residents have."

She noted that the prohibition not only infringed on the rights of the young girl but would be an inconvenience to the child's parents who would have to sacrifice time they had been counting on in making other arrangements for their daughter.

"At the eleventh hour the rug has been pulled from under them because the child has reached the chronological age of 18," she said.

"If we don't show a real concern for people in situations struggling to cope and we turn a blind eye to that type of situation it cannot be the right way to go.

"Unless there is Government support, there are residents who fall through the cracks."

Minister Nelson Bascome later addressed the floor and agreed with Ms Gordon-Pamplin that the Government has a great deal more work to complete in making buildings and resources more accessible to Bermuda's physically challenged.

"We find that some of our public buildings are not wheelchair accessible or accessible to people who are infirm," he said.

"I know there are some deficiencies in our schools when it comes to wheelchair access in particular."

He noted that he had personal reasons for being sensitive to people with disabilities including his encounters with disabled family members.

"I thank her (Ms Gordon-Pamplin) in raising the issue and would like to heighten efforts to address it," he added.

The Royal Gazette was told yesterday however, that the girl has now been accepted by the teen camp and will be attending until July.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin suggested Government needs to establish a facility or programme specifically designed for physically-challenged children who age out of camp programmes.

"We have nothing for people that fall into that category and I think that is really sad," she said.

"Something should have been established years ago."