As published on the Malta Independent: 08/05/2014.
That was the first question that was asked of me by a parent at a recent meeting I held with organisations and families involved in the disability sector. As a Member of the inter-group of Members of the European Parliament on disability I am often faced with these issues.
It is hard to imagine the preoccupation these parents face on a daily basis. They are concerned and they deserve better. This last year has seen little or no progress by the Government in the field, with a reluctant Parliamentary Secretary only finally being replaced recently. The lack of impetus by the Government and the failure of Labour to build on the strong foundations laid down by the previous administration has meant that we have lost a year.
People with a disability do not want charity or sympathy. They want jobs and where necessary with the needed support. They want a bit of forward thinking so that they too will have a level playing field and equal opportunities to get ahead that we all have. Notwithstanding the many pre electoral promises, they are very worried that nothing has happened in a year under Labour and that this not augur well for the remainder of the legislature.
It is no wonder that people are concerned. As one lady put it to me, it is not only what happens after, but all the things that are happening now, that we can influence.
They are concerned with the new Legal Notice that now empowers the Minister to have access to data of any child in the educational system, including information on their ability. Parents of children with learning difficulties are outraged. Would their child be labelled? Who has access to this information? How is it stored? There are still so many unanswered questions.
They are also worried that the legislation related to Guardianship for disabled people who need a guardian has not yet been implemented.
The PN has always been the Party that has led the way on moving disability out of the shadows and away from the taboo that it once was. The first law passed this millennium concerned disability. One of the great team of PN candidates in this election, Kevin Cutajar, is showing how far barriers can keep getting broken and hurdles overcome. But the Government must do more.
The Equal Opportunities Act does not allow discrimination on the basis of disability as regards provision of services, but Malta’s Social Security legislation grants a non-contributory pension to people with a disability that decreases or is stopped if the person concerned has income from another source. This is blatantly opposed to what happens to elderly people who are allowed to work and keep their full pension entitlement. It is purely discriminatory and it must be addressed.
The AgenzijaSapport that runs the Day Centre for blind persons in Santa Venera is a haven for these people and their families that must be strengthened. Instead we have seen manoeuvring that will see the Centre weakened with less staff and with less resources. It is utterly unacceptable that money can be wasted on employing those closest to the Labour Party, when essential services like this are being cut back.
There are few tools that this Government must give more attention to. We need more investment to increase the number of Maltese Sign Language interpreters. Our language is rich and we cannot deny deaf people a voice and an essential service to be included in Society. It is the same with sub-titles in Cinemas or on Public Television. We have recently granted public funds to improve our Island’s cinemas – why did the Government not give the funds to the private operators without ensuring that Cinemas have subtitles on every film shown?
It has again fallen to the PN to, even in Opposition, show the required leadership and present a Private Members’ Bill that will build on what it did in Government, and entrench the protection of people with a disability from discrimination in our Constitution. It is an important next step to take and should have the full backing of the Government.
Disabled people are not asking for the impossible. There is a lot that can be done through a few concrete measures that can be easily implemented without breaking the bank. It is not about having any special rights but about everyone’s child having an equal chance.
Empathy is not enough. We need to do more. Much more. We all deserve equal opportunities in life. No one can get left behind.
We cannot afford another wasted year.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-05-08/opinions/what-will-become-of-my-child-4896915458/
