Be the first to comment!Justyne Caruana launches the National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disability
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On the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Active Ageing Dr Justyne Caruana, addressed a conference at the University of Malta, during which she officially launched the National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disability.
Justyne Caruana said that the Policy has been finalised after months of consultation and will be a stepping-stone towards establishing the disability agenda in our country with a clear plan for the Government’s work towards the Disability Sector in the coming years.
Justyne Caruana added that the process of development for the policy was unique because they involved all stakeholders in this field, including disabled people themselves. “This policy seeks to change the way people with disabilities are interpreted by society and therefore this policy is drawing direction and reflection on all areas adjacent to the lives of people with disability.”
She also said that this document states unequivocally that disabled people should live a full life in our communities and in accordance with the needs and aspirations, and not just one size fits all.”
Dr Caruana mentioned that the fundamental right of people with disabilities to be able to work, and that “the Government must facilitate access to the world of work.”
“This was clearly demonstrated in the last budget when the Government, among other incentives, capping for people with disability themselves so that, irrespective of the amount they earn through employment, they will retain their full disability pension rights, as well as introducing a tax credit for companies, on every person with disability they employ, capped at a maximum of €4,500 per annum per person.”
The Parliamentary Secretary said that Gozo will also benefit directly from a particular and specific allocation to employ 80 people with disability. “This is the first time ever that people with disability in Gozo have featured so prominently in a government initiative and half-a-million euros will be directed towards a new back-office initiative to create these 80 jobs.”
