The Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability (MFOPD) has welcomed the inclusion of employment participation targets for persons with disabilities within Malta Vision 2050.
However, the Federation also stressed that persons with disabilities have heard similar commitments before – without seeing the systemic change required.
MFOPD said that together with the 45 member organisations it has for years consistently called for:
Greater access to meaningful employment
Fully accessible transport and infrastructure
Inclusive education at all levels
Coordinated, person-centred support services
Stronger implementation of disability rights obligations
While Vision 2050 sets a target to increase employment participation by 2035, MFOPD emphasised that ”targets alone are not enough.”
MFOPD President Marthese Mugliette said that ”we now want to see”
Clear action plans with annual benchmarks
Dedicated and sustained budget allocation
Cross-ministerial accountability for accessibility and inclusion
Regular publication of disability-disaggregated data
Genuine co-production with organisations representing persons with disabilities
She inssisted that ”inclusion cannot remain aspirational. It must be measurable, funded and enforceable.”
”Persons with disabilities are not seeking special treatment – they are seeking equal opportunity. Vision 2050 presents an opportunity to move from consultation to implementation and from strategy to tangible results,” said Ms Mugliette.
MFOPD concluded by saying that it ”stands ready to collaborate constructively with Government to ensure that this Vision becomes a turning point for disability rights in Malta – The disability community has waited long enough. Now is the time for delivery.”