This week’s celebrations of Freedom Day brought memories of my first public speech 16 years ago. It was a great honour to address such a huge multitude of people, many of whom still recalled the historical event of 1979, side-by-side with Dom Mintoff, greatest statesman in Malta’s history. I recall with pride how, at the feet of the naturally-designed symbolic monument, I had humbly highlighted the intrinsic sequence between true political and economic freedom and the people’s social wellbeing.

Sixteen years ago, I likened the harsh uphill walkway to the sad and sour events our nation had to endure in order to earn its living and acquire a respectable social status. I also said that society needed to work harder to reduce the uphill burden for vulnerable people. It is still very vivid in my memory that I then underlined the point that real freedom is best translated into a praxis of equality and equity among all citizens. Little did I imagine then that, 16 years on, I would be leading a dedicated team implementing the Labour Government’s vision of a fair society.

Freedom secures equality and equity

It may have been a coincidence this year, but nevertheless significant that, only the following morning, on 1 April, my Parliamentary Secretariat gathered all the stakeholders to take stock, evaluate and establish a national policy on the autism spectrum. This is yet another field in the vast sector of disabilities, into which we are now zooming with the aim of identifying the whole reality of particular sections of our population who deserve specific attention and support.

The Prime Minister’s presence and his guiding speech further exposed the importance that the Labour Government has, all the way, been giving to the disability sector for which I have the honour to care. Likewise, the participation of so many families and people within the autism spectrum was most encouraging, together with a long list of local and international experts, trainers and researchers.

As it happens, I tend to believe that each of such events turns out to be the best day of my political career. It transpires, however, that there are always prouder days ahead in my calendar that add further satisfaction – basically realising projects after long months of planning and consultation. Tomorrow, Monday, in fact, after its Easter recess, Parliament will discuss the People within the Autism Spectrum (Empowerment) Act, which is one of a kind at international level.

The autism spectrum

Mark Twain once said that “kindness and respect are the values that the deaf can hear and the blind can see”. Although this is what most NGOs believe in all their dedicated work, it is indeed the very core inspiration for this government in its incessant work towards building a fair society.

Our social policies start off with the basic principle that all people, irrespective of their abilities, have their own rights and expect society to provide everything that they deserve. We emphasise the fact that we are a community consisting of small but equally important units that are each a community in their own right – the families. It is therefore my duty to show the government’s gratitude to all families who are the indispensable foundations in the autism spectrum. We feel the urge to provide the necessary support to them as we fully recognise that, without their commitment, our actions as a nation will not be complete, let alone successful.

Government’s policies are, in fact, a tangible appreciation – and a continuation – of their hard work, complemented by the commitment of all NGOs in the disability sector. We fully recognise their important role in creating the necessary foundations on which people with autism can acquire a better quality of life.

A performance to be proud of

Together with them, our policies and measures are proving that we do not merely talk about what needs to be done, but we actually take the necessary action. These last few months have witnessed incessant work towards the achievement of important work in the disability sector. These include a national disability policy and relative strategy to be launched for consultation in the coming days and strong legislation to give those with disabilities their rightful place in decision-making bodies, an act to fully transpose the UNCRPD to be debated shortly.

Other milestones include the recognition of the Maltese sign language; a more effective KNPD – soon to be spearheaded by a Commissioner; a new law to be tabled next week regarding parking concessions for people with disabilities and introducing harsh penalties in cases of abuse. Last Friday we also issued a new legal notice to establish Aġenzija Sapport as a stand-alone government disability services agency. 

This adds to the strengthening of services both at community level as in respect of residential services. We are implementing our ambitious project of 10 new community homes by the end of this legislature, with the third home to be opened shortly. We are also launching a new initiative, endorsed by Cabinet this week, towards the streamlining of disability services provided directly or indirectly by the government. We want to ensure a seamless and effective life-long care plan that addresses the needs of recipients and their families in a holistic manner.

All out against exclusion

Last Friday we went a step further. We are fully aware that autism impacts severely on the individual and his or her respective family – often the extended family. It is in itself hard to admit that people with autism cannot fully understand the signs and symbols with which society is surrounded. We cannot do nothing when we know that we have people around us who are conditioned to feel isolated or excluded. We must take action and we are, in fact, taking action to combat this reality with all the means that the country can afford!

In the past we have witnessed instances of placidity within a comfort zone and the utterance of the sweetest words of solidarity, but this government walks its talk: we act as our duty dictates without any hesitation. We are committed to supporting families with such challenges by providing the necessary tools to help people with autism gain more independence and feel protected through the necessary legislation.

Consultation, planning and action 

Consultation with everyone involved has been fundamental all along in the two sectors for which I am responsible and which I serve with great passion, vigour and honour. On Friday we confirmed how imperative it is that, together with the academics’ input, we listen to autistic people themselves and their families, to guide us further in what needs to be done. It is basically what spurs us on to provide the necessary policies and laws, together with standards and structures.

We do not consider the disability sector in a homogeneous manner, but after various initiatives, taken along general lines, we are looking more closely to ensure that each sector is fully addressed. The Autism Spectrum Disorder State Plan is designed by the stakeholders themselves and includes those with autism and their families. This ensures that the country responds in a decisive manner.

Diagnosis is pivotal, but we are committed to building bridges where people with autism are included and where their potential can be extended with the required development of new skills. The right way lies in our own attitudes: we must not simply tolerate or bear with them, but recognise the difference and strive to come closer to them. The bridge-building starts with us.

The track record in these first three years is proof of our support to people with disabilities. This is not mere kindness, this is our duty!