We are constantly being affected by the world around us, and this reflects our attitudes and approach even towards persons with disability. According to the World Health Organisation, the survival of persons with disability is even today threatened by attitudes, prejudices and beliefs, common among non-disabled people.

In Malta, during the past few years, there has been a growing awareness and major shifts in attitudes towards disability. Although the social inclusion of persons with disability has improved over the last few years, there are still, unfortunately, a number of social barriers. These vary from inaccessible physical environments, negative stereotypes to prejudiced attitudes, to mention just a few, and are faced by persons with disability in different spheres of life.

Parents and the home environment

Generally, Maltese parents tend to be over-protective. This tends to be even more so when children have a disability. This over-protectiveness and/or fear from the parents or carers is manifested in different ways. One example is when the same parents or carers prefer to do every day chores and tasks for the person with disability rather than allowing him/her to explore the possibility of doing the task on their own, whenever their condition permits. Unfortunately, and unwillingly this attitude may result in the person with disability becoming dependent on others.

In its day-to-day support to persons with disability and their families, Aġenzija Sapport meets various clients coming from over-protective environments. They tend to expect tasks to be done for them, because this is what they are accustomed to. However, when given the necessary guidance and support and after a number of attempts, these same individuals are able to complete these tasks either on their own, or with minimal support.

Some tasks, such as getting dressed, may look difficult to a person with disability in his/her early life, but the same person may overcome this later on in life. However, this situation can be more complicated if the parents and carers take complete control over the person’s life. The problem escalates when the person with disability becomes passive and adopts an attitude of helplessness, which is in turn generalised in all areas of life. These include the socialisation process, school and education, work and career, and even one’s general physical and psychological well-being.

Education

Unfortunately, persons with disability might be subject to various negative attitudes and barriers within the education system. First and foremost, the lack of accessibility and resources provided in mainstream education is already a major obstacle for students with disability although some improvements may be noted.

Another major challenge is the attitude of peers. Even children could have stereotypical ideas and misconceptions about disability and these persons. These could be exhibited bluntly such as calling persons with disability names. It could also be manifested in another form of harassment, like moving away from the person with disability, which is often the result of fear or lack of knowledge. The effect of this may result in feelings of insecurity and having a sense of inadequacy which may lead persons with disability to experience isolation, lack of motivation to learn, and in some cases absenteeism from school.

The attitudes portrayed by teachers and other school professionals, also have a great impact on the development of the student with disability, as much as any other student. Therefore, schools and professionals have a great responsibility in creating an accessible, safe and welcoming environment that promotes inclusion and equality. Through the curriculum, the education system should take into consideration these person’s needs and challenge bullying and stereotypical attitudes towards them. Students, including persons with disability, have different ways of learning and as much as possible the educational system has to adopt different teaching methods accordingly through different subjects and resources. The educational system needs to acknowledge and praise skills in various subjects including arts and sports in order to enhance the self-concept and self-esteem of the students, including students with disability.

Employment

Although there have been a number of legislative measures aimed at helping persons with disability to participate in the labour market, challenges are still continuously being faced because of gaps between policy and practice. In addition, persons with disability still find it harder to get a job or rather experience discrimination during their job-search.

Aġenzija Sapport is currently working on the European Social Fund project: Me2! - Integration of persons with disability into the labour market. This project is coordinated by the agency, in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD) and the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC). The main aim of the Me2! Project is to assist persons with disability develop their skills, and thus improve their prospects for possible employment. This will serve to improve their quality of life and achieve independent living. In addition, Me2! aims to improve the relationship between employers and persons with disability, with the ultimate goal to prevent these persons from being socially excluded.

Employers still need to understand that if, for example, someone has a physical disability; it does not mean s/he cannot function like the rest of their colleagues in the team. Employers also tend to be afraid that they might incur extra expense for the company if they employ a person with disability and furthermore, some even tend to assume that because of such disability, these persons take a lot of sick leave. In this regard, one can note that society again creates barriers and discrimination. Consequently, if a person with disability is employed, continuous support and access to training and development opportunities need to be targeted for employers and employees to be able to deal with their stereotyped ideas. The person with disability is there to be respected like the other employees and s/he is not there to do the dirty work for the other members of staff. However, persons with disability tend to do the lowly jobs. They remain at a disadvantage, as reflected in the lack of promotions and appointments in managerial and decision making positions assigned to them. Therefore, even though they might acquire the necessary skills needed, they are still not on an equal level like others. Moreover, if the person finds him/herself in a difficult situation at the place of work, like for example being unfairly treated, the person may find it hard to speak up, as fear of dismissal is very real.

Thanks to the Me2! project, there are a number of employers who are changing their perceptions. In fact, to date, 40 persons with disability have benefited from this project and started job exposure with various companies.

Social relationships

The general public still perceives persons with disability as different from the norm. They are still facing the stigma of needing help and pity. Meanwhile, society needs to understand that persons with disability have the right to speak and a space to voice their concerns and we have the obligation of lending an ear to listen to them and comprehend what they say.

Most of the time the equality concept is used as a buzz word, but it’s time to translate it into practice. Do persons with disability have equal ability to form relationships, families, participate in our workforce, and participate equally in decision-making?

Unfortunately, these persons are still facing lack of access to opportunities and experiences. As a result, they are still blocked from participating and contributing to society. Different causes of social exclusion include inter alia … a sense of loneliness; lack of social network; feeling unworthy or useless, and considered as a burden; feeling very unsafe; afraid of institutionalisation; harassment; and bullying. Young persons with disability may also find it difficult to do the kind of things other young people engage in such as shopping, going to the cinema, and clubbing. They might also lack budgeting skills or have financial restrictions. Moreover, decisions about the person’s well-being might be taken by other persons, as s/he is not always listened to.

Most of the time persons with disability have limited access to information. For example, in our local media few TV programmes are shown with subtitles or with sign language interpreting. In addition, visually impaired people have limited access to information because very few publications are translated in Braille or published in easyread. Intellectually disabled people and people with physical disability still face lack of opportunities and negative false perceptions about their capabilities. These factors are leading to discrimination, thus leaving a negative effect on the persons concerned. However, on a positive note, a number of organisations have come together to support people with disability. This needs to be sustained by a strong continuous voice focused on equality to eradicate negative attitudes towards such persons.

Aġenzija Sapport believes that as a society, there is more to be done for persons with disability to be truly acknowledged as equal partners. They need to have their own dignity and rights respected. It is important that no one is judgmental and that more opportunities are created. It is also necessary that persons with disability are more involved and their voices heard, in whatever measures are planned and decisions taken, and especially when these are put into practice.

Stephanie Etim Grech – Community Services Leader, Aġenzija Sapport

Bernardette Aquilina - Professional Support Worker, Community Services, Aġenzija Sapport

References:

Ingstad, B. (2001). Disability in the developing world. In G. L. Albrecht, K. D. Seelman, & M. Bury (Eds.), Handbook of disability studies

(pp. 772-792). London: Sage Publications Inc Ltd.