Entitlement not Charity

I’ve just had the opportunity to meet with a number of parents, children and NGOs involved with working with and for the disabled. These are a group of people that face sometimes overwhelming financial and social challenges and difficulties to care for themselves and their children in the best possible way.

It is unacceptable that in this day and age people are still affronted by social stigmas which is coupled with severe financial problems simply in an effort to live as we all do. During the meeting the main question preying on parents’ minds remains that of what will happen to their children if something should ever happen to them. I cannot imagine a more preoccupying thought than worrying that should something happen to you, your child will be faced with an uncertain future. This is an area of concern that desperately needs to be addressed.

We need to tackle the issues faced by disabled people in getting a job while ensuring they are not discriminated against on the work place. If I am elected to represent Maltese and Gozitans in the European Parliament I will work towards the EPP objective of having people with a disability be able to participate in society without restrictions and free from discrimination. I will work actively within the European Parliament All Party Group on Disability for stronger legislation on a European level to ensure that every person is afforded the same treatment and to encourage the increased participation of people with a disability in the labour market to ensure they can find sustainable employment , not remain dependent on social services and be afforded the dignity we all deserve.

That said and while a lot still needs to be done, we’ve come a long way in last years - we are on the road to ensuring equality. The Government, the KNPD, NGOs and parents' associations in the sector have done great work in raising the profile of this issue with the public and with tackling a number of the issues associated with the disabled , be it through individual advice or through legislative initiatives..One concrete example, that has improved the lives of many, is that every new building that is accesible to the public, must be certified by the KNPD as accessible to people with physical disabilities before planning permission is granted.

The EU too has moved on this issue. The EU was instrumental in the United Nations adopting the Convention on the rights of people with a disability and is in the process of ratifying it – within this convention are measures that prohibit discrimination against people in the workplace and in vocational education and training. As a nation, we need to do everything possible to speed up this process of ratification.

As one participant in the meeting pointed out, we need to continue to move away from the mentality that treating people with a disability equally is equivalent to an act of charity – it is not. It’s entitlement.