This past week, like in previous ones, many issues fuelled the national debate.  The issues can easily be put into three categories: some were politically sensitive, others of a financial character, while others were of a social nature. 

Most of the issues will remain on the national agenda for some time and will continue to be analysed, debated and tackled from different perspectives.  I toyed with the idea of penning my thoughts about a social issue which has hit the news and which undoubtedly will leave many workers and their dependants in great difficulties.  Collective redundancies are traumatic on many levels. I had it all structured in my mind but then, as I was about to start hitting the keyword with my thoughts, I remembered the press conference held last Friday by two Parliamentary Secretaries. 

The speakers addressing the press conference did not speak about huge investments, but about a new initiative which should improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, or at least attempt to do so.  The initiative is very small in comparison with the millions and billions of euros we have become accustomed to follow in the local media. Notwithstanding that this is a small initiative in financial terms it is still worth noting and encouraging.     

In this regard I recall an article I have penned last December in this newspaper under the headingPushing forward - reaching higher standards in which I have made the following appeal.  While on many fronts people with disabilities have achieved what was theirs in the first place, it would be right at the beginning of this new legislature for the responsible incumbents for local councils and people with disabilities to jointly look at some of our pavements in various localities. This was followed by another strong remark from my end.  The chauffeur-driven incumbents will soon get too busy and will not have time to walk down streets with the sole purpose to appreciate and understand the hardship bad workmanship and wrongly designed pavements can cause to people.  Such an issue, which may be perceived as trivial and small, remain to be addressed.

Like me, I am sure many others publicly and/or privately, including The National Commission Persons with Disability committed to champion the needs of persons with disabilities, have brought this same subject to the attention of the gentlemen holding office.

Last Friday, two honourable gentlemen presently holding office of Parliamentary Secretary - namely José Herrera, responsible for Local Government and Culture and Franco Mercieca, responsible for Active Ageing and Disability Rights - addressed a joint press conference in which they gave details of a competition aimed to instil in local councillors the need to further address the issues of people with disabilities in their community.  It is very unfortunate that this press conference was not widely reported but I am glad that this newspaper, having a social conscience, gave significant space and produced the details of this event.   

Indeed, both gentlemen deserve credit for this initiative.  In the eyes of many, this campaign may be seen as too small to make a significant improvement to the quality of life of people with disabilities.  One may aim high and propose various such initiatives; nothing wrong in that, but unless something concrete is done, the issue of blocked pavements, steep ramps, disjointed pavement cords, broken drainage inspection box covers and garages’ concrete ramps, people with disabilities continue to suffer from a quality of life which could have been made better by those responsible.

Back in December I had commented about poor workmanship in the construction of some pavements in various localities, and the obstacles one encounters while walking on pavements. These are numerous and of all sorts. While, at times, these obstacles make it almost impossible for able people to use, people with disabilities have no other option but to stay at home unless assisted.

With some effort, direction and a sense of community responsibility during the construction stage, pavements can be substantially improved.  It must be carelessness and a lack of supervision which is bringing unnecessary hardship to people with disabilities when going about.

It cannot be otherwise.  Looking around,  particularly at the huge buildings finished to the highest quality of workmanship which have mushroomed on the islands, the construction of pavements should be chicken fed to our road designers, contractors and certifying and paying agencies.        

The announcement of an annual competition for local councils to invest in infrastructural improvements with the aim to improve accessibility for disabled persons is a step in the right direction.  People with disabilities are an integral part of society and every effort should be made to ensure the participation of all, irrespective of abilities.

The challenge set for local councils to address projects with the aim to improve accessibility, with prizes ranging from €8,000 up to €25,000, should be welcomed by local councils.  The scheme, while it should help improve the quality of life of disabled persons, would also help others to better understand the challenges that persons with disabilities have to face when pavements are not properly built, though this is far from rocket science.  Putting the issue under the spotlight will help.   

Hope the esteemed gentlemen do realise it is the beginning not the end, but in any case I give credit where due. Well done!      

GejtuVella

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