As we mark European Independent Living Day on the 5th of May, we are called not only to celebrate, but to reflect on the progress made-and the long road still ahead-for persons with disabilities in Malta.

This day serves as a timely reminder to pause and ask: What has changed in the past year to improve the lives and independence of persons with disabilities in our country?

Independent living is not a luxury-it is a right. Yet, for too many in our community, this right remains out of reach.

Over the past year, we have seen some steps forward. Legislative efforts and policy discussions have placed disability rights more firmly on the national agenda. However, the reality on the ground paints a more sobering picture.

The much-anticipated Personal Assistance Reform, designed to support autonomy and daily independence, is still not functioning as it should. Delays, inconsistencies, and gaps in implementation are leaving many individuals without the support they were promised-and desperately need.

In our education system, students with disabilities continue to face challenges that limit their opportunities and potential. The quality and accessibility of education remain uneven, with systemic issues left unresolved.

The built environment is another pressing concern. For persons with mobility impairments, our pavements, roads, and public transport systems are not just inconvenient-they are dangerous. The simple act of reaching a bus stop or navigating a street can be a daily struggle, limiting freedom and increasing isolation.

And as we approach key moments of democratic participation, we must also confront the fact that elections remain inaccessible for some. Everyone should have the right to cast their vote independently and with dignity-but in practice, this right is still not fully realised.

European Independent Living Day is not just about celebrating rights-it's about defending them. It is a day to demand action, accountability, and real change.

We call on policymakers, local councils, and all stakeholders to:

• Ensure immediate and effective implementation of the Personal Assistance scheme together with the Personal Budget to make it affordable to all.
• Commit to inclusive and quality education for all students, with proper training and resources.
• Invest in a fully accessible built environment that allows everyone to move freely and safely.
• Guarantee accessible voting processes, so no one is excluded from civic participation.

Let us not wait another year to ask the same questions again. Let the changes we speak of today be the realities we live by next year.

Independent Living is a right. Let's make it a reality.

Marthese Mugliette, President of the Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability.