The more I meet families, the more I meet individuals who share their experience with me about their children or relatives who have a form of invisible disability that still goes unnoticed in today’s society.
Those with conditions such as ADHD, ADD Autism, selective Mutism and Dyslexia find it hard to be accommodated with the support they require. The same happens with people who have Fibromyalgia who still have to battle the prejudice of today’s society and sometimes of those who are entrusted with their care.
This happens because at first glance their impairment is not visible, therefore society in general doesn’t perceive them as persons with disabilities. Although this might seem right because they aren’t being given any label, this is a detriment to these individuals because reasonable accommodation and support are not just being provided but even hard to be understood.
As a mother, as a parent, I don’t just meet and listen to experiences but also pass through them. On a daily basis I feel the struggle we have to go through to empower our children who find it hard to achieve certain things due to their nonvisible conditions. Mostly, this starts in early childhood and keeps on evolving through the years with challenges cropping up at school, to extracurricular activities, and later on employment.
The struggle continues to make an impact on the wellbeing of our families when the same members within our families, including the parents find it hard to accept the fact that their children might need extra support because of their impairment. As a family we know what it means and can understand others passing through such a patch in life.
Education is key and it is evident that we need more awareness raising when it come to the rights of persons with invisible disabilities. I believe that those carrying awareness raising should be those who either have these kinds of invisible impairments or their care givers.
Achievements
In recent years, Malta has reached several important milestones in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. From legislative reforms to the establishment of ground-breaking initiatives, Malta has demonstrated a committed dedication to fostering a more inclusive society.
One of the important advancements in Malta's journey towards the rights of persons with disabilities was the adoption of the first National Disability Policy and the introduction of the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2021-2030). These strategic frameworks laid down a roadmap for comprehensive action, emphasizing the importance of empowerment, accessibility, and equality.
A key component of Malta's progress in this regard has been the transformation of its national service provider, Agenzija Sapport. Evolving into an autonomous entity in 2016, Agenzija Sapport has played a central role in expanding and improving services for persons with disabilities and is currently working hard to implement a very important reform, the personal budget reform which includes personal assistants. This reform is perceived to be one of the biggest if not the biggest stride forward in the disability sector because through it, the Government is looking into modernising the disability sector apart from aligning it with the principles of the Convention for the rights of persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, Malta has taken significant steps to strengthen the institutional framework for disability rights. The transformation of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, along with the formation of the Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities within the Commission, underscored the government's commitment to promoting advocacy and representation within the sector. Additionally, the appointment of the first Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2016 marked a significant milestone in ensuring effective oversight and enforcement.
Legislation has also been a focal point of Malta's efforts to advance the rights of persons with disability. The enactment of the Autism Spectrum (Empowerment) Act and the subsequent development of the nation's first Autism strategy signify a concerted effort to address the specific needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. Furthermore, Malta's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, alongside the passage of the corresponding Act, reaffirmed the country's commitment to upholding international standards.
In a very important move, Malta recognized Maltese Sign Language as an official language through the Maltese Sign Language Act, elevating the linguistic rights of the deaf community. The establishment of the Maltese Sign Language Council aimed at further promoting the recognition and preservation of this vital form of communication.
The introduction of the EU Disability Card, a standardized identification recognized across all EU member states, exemplifies Malta's ongoing commitment to promoting accessibility and mobility for persons with disabilities. Originating from collaborative efforts at the European level, the EU Disability Card reflects Malta's proactive engagement in shaping inclusive policies that transcend borders. When a Member of the European Parliament 10 years ago I had an active role to promote and champion the need for the EU Disability Card.
Looking ahead, if I’m entrusted again to represent Malta in the European Parliament I remain committed as I’ve already done during my time as a Member of the European Parliament to work hard in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, especially those who have to face multiple challenges due to their invisible impairment.
Claudette Abela Baldacchino is a former MEP and candidate for the next EP elections on the Labour Party list