Early this week, my son commented about the social and commercial realisation and acceptance of British society with regard to the changes required to help people with special needs in their mobility requirements.

This set me thinking on where our country’s position lies with regard to both our moral and legal obligations with respect to our fellow citizens with special needs. All political parties pay lip service to these obligations and especially in the run-up to the general election, go head over heels to win points in this regard. In practice, however, we need to assess ourselves, both as a country and also as a nation.

One cannot but accord recognition to the progress achieved in the last decade, especially following the introduction of the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act, Chapter 413 of the Laws of Malta, in 2000. This was a milestone in various respects – that of recognition, that of awareness, as well as that of implementation. These have all led to an improvement in making mobility and accessibility easier for people with special needs.

There is no doubt that we have all learnt from this piece of legislation. However, this leads to the question as to whether it is time to take the next step both physically and also mentally.

There is, in my opinion, still a barrier that divides the implementation of many more structural amendments and which would facilitate mobility for such people. I still feel that many pay lip service to the notion of accessibility for all, but when it comes to having to implement some amendments oneself, the cost comes into play and the enthusiasm to cooperate dwindles.

Recognising the financial expenses that such amendments involve is the first step that will take us to the second phase of the change our society requires. The time has come for us to recognise that to bring our country up to speed, we may have to invest politically in the sense of economic contributions in an organised scale to get as close as possible to the accepted levels in the shortest time possible. Every day we delay is one more day of inconvenience to persons with special needs, or worse still, is another day of restricted mobility. The time has come for the government to invest politically in schemes for funding structured on three tiers – that of a local and national character, that relating to commercial premises and that concerning private properties.

There is no doubt that there is so much which needs to be done on a local and national level, although the continuation of the good work carried out by the responsible ministries and authorities is noted with satisfaction. However, this is a never-ending necessity. Schemes should be introduced to encourage all those responsible for the administration of government-owned buildings or areas, notably pavements and outdoor facilities, to fall in line with the requirements set out in the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act.

A similar scheme should also be introduced for the commercial sector. Here, the expenses involved are at times too substantial to be burdened within a restricted timeframe; the right framework would thus make it possible for commercial operators of any size to fall in line within the required timeframe. This in itself would create commercial benefits by increasing clientele.

My thoughts also go to private properties, notably private residences and their environs. Wouldn’t the introduction of a similar scheme go a long way towards reducing some of the daily inconveniences suffered by people with special needs? Authorities should consider the introduction of such a scheme which, if spread out over a number of years, should not be financially prohibitive, especially when compared to the millions spent by the government in other sectors on an annual basis.

As a nation, we seem to be in agreement with these measures, but when it hits our pockets, there are some who seem to stall and let the expenses involved overcome their beliefs and principles. The truth of it all is that insofar as the matter does not concern us personally, we may be somewhat indifferent to these requirements and obligations. If and when such issues affect our loved ones, or us however, we would surely move to the opposite side of the fence on this argument, especially on the importance of not letting costs inhibit anyone’s mobility.

Do we need to wait for the ‘if’ and ‘when’ to take sides and take action? The National Commission Persons with Disability has been working hard to get this message across. What have we, as a nation, done about it? Do we always have to wait for the government to provide the necessary impetus, or is there anything we can or should be doing to help out?