During the past week we have witnessed various positive events to tangibly verify the hard work put by my Secretariat. Each event meant that not only are we on the right track but that we are invariably reaping the fruits of long months of consultation, planning and budgeting. They also show that by being determined to keep our promises we can actually achieve the positive results we had targeted from the very start, in line with our electoral manifesto.

Last Thursday, we marked the International Day for People with Disability with a well-attended national conference successfully organised by the National Commission for People with a Disability (KNPD). It was a most interesting opportunity to discuss and review all the structures we have in place in this sector. The participation of people with disabilities themselves – along with all the other stakeholders – helped provide a factual review of current structures and the way forward.

I was happy go note that, while until only recently we had been insisting on accessibility, we are now constantly building on the rights and the dignity these people deserve on which I have always insisted and worked relentlessly.

All the legislative steps taken in Parliament and in every national or international forum, including the law on the employment of people with disability, are further proof of our constant commitment towards this end. We have introduced a law whereby people with disability are represented on the boards of government entities and work is in progress on the first National Strategy in this sector. Over and above all this, there is the National Policy for People with Disability which is an active document that is already being implemented.  

In order to safeguard the rights of people with disability there is a need for specific laws, proper structures and, above all, clear standards that are to be adhered to by everyone involved. We have, in fact, established national standards for residences for this sector of our society – an indispensable document coordinated by my Parliamentary Secretariat, with the help of the KNPD, the relevant departments, various experts, other authorities, voluntary groups and, most important of all, people with disability themselves. We want them to be the protagonists in this sector as we are keen to rope them in taking life-changing decisions which directly affect them. 

We are determined to ensure a high-quality service that reaches all the aspirations of those who benefit from them, ensuring high quality and catering for the individual needs of the person. These standards now have the legal force for everyone to know what they are expected to deliver.

We have also launched initiatives to address autism, through a draft document compiled by a varied working group that focuses on early detection and an awareness of symptoms and social inclusion. I was proud to announce that we will be tabling a specific bill in Parliament entitled People within the Autism Spectrum Empowerment Act, aimed at creating more awareness. Autism is a complex condition that is on the rise in Malta and there is a need to tackle it in a focused manner way.  The bill will also create a Council for Autism, consisting of directors from various Ministries together with Agenzija Sapport, KNPD, other experts and people with the condition.

The council will also be responsible for compiling a national support state plan that will assess the local situation and set time-lines for the changes needed. A major challenge is the late detection of the condition and we therefore plan to search for the right treatment and services, coordinating available services aimed at providing tailored-made treatment for each individual. The Autism Parents Association, to whom we are all grateful, reiterated the need for such a plan to bring together practices from various sectors and create a better environment for people with autism.

In the last week we have also focused on using advanced technology as a means of communication and the urgent need to further eliminate the digital divide for people with disabilities. The opening of the learning hub in Gozo in the next few days is a bold – and major – step that adds to other projects we have already realised, with the cooperation of the Malta Communications Authority, including a pilot project with the Gozo Association for the Deaf.  

Digital technology should be another opportunity for inclusivity and an indispensable tool in order to reach a level playing field for people with disability to communicate and exchange knowledge and ideas. It should be available in order to further their education and improve their employment prospects so that they can lead an economically independent life. Undoubtedly all this demonstrates that inclusivity is one of the main principles of my Secretariat and I am pleased that the role of the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA) is to be strengthened.  

Last week I also had the opportunity to visit the new independent residence within the community that the Arka Foundation will soon be opening in Gozo. This will be joined by similar projects that the government will see come to fruition in the coming year in Zabbar, Pembroke, Marsa and other areas, together within the one that is already fully functional in Siggiewi. These will be in addition to the multi-million euro project in Naxxar, in itself stressing the principle of inclusivity within the community, and also Marigold Place in Marsa, also launched this week by Mrs Michelle Muscat. Together with other Ministries, we were involved in this project to ensure that the disability sector receives its fair share

Being committed to serving the nation, one cannot help but strive harder in the face of negative criticism that comes along, without fail, from those who sat on fake laurels and sweet talk for years on end when in government. Clinging to straws and trivial issues – however blown – can do nothing but waste time on pointless criticism. Considering the amount of work to which we are committed as a government for the nation’s well-being – be it economic or social – time is a precious tool. This cannot be more threatened than it is by the type of endless marathon sittings in Parliament such as we had last week until the early hours of the morning. It appeared to be reminiscent of the delaying tactics and obstructionism of Pannella and his radicals in the Italian Parliament of the 1980s and lately adopted by Grillo’s Cinque Stelle, with hundreds of superficial motions and amendments. 

Talking of the importance of time management, I must reiterate the strong opinion I have aired over the years about the plight of Gozitans when it comes to crossing over to Malta and back for whatever reason. I have always favoured the idea of a fast ferry service as an immediate solution for Gozo and Gozitans and pushed hard to have it included in our electoral manifesto. While fully appreciating all the initiatives taken during the week, everybody will agree that all the other feasible and studied projects will be long-term solutions that will take years to be accomplished. Accessibility is crucial for Gozo and Gozitans and this centuries-old problem requires an immediate solution – whatever is planned for the future. As a daily commuter myself, I am all for accessibility and we have waited long enough for a fast ferry service.