The Gozo Federation Persons with Disability held a conference entitled ‘Id-Drittijiet tal-Persuni b’Dizabilita’ today. The conference took place at the exhibition hall of the Ministry for Gozo and was part of the activities held during disability week.
During the opening speech, the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono praised the Gozitan Federation which is recognised as the representative voice for persons with disability in Gozo, not only on a regional level but also on a national one. She also mentioned the agreement between the Ministry for Gozo and the Federation, where the two entities agreed that through joint efforts they would endeavour to promote and work towards the benefit of the disability sector in Gozo.
This agreement led to a significant development in the past year, through the setting up of a one-stop-shop, which is offering its services from the Adult Training Centre in Ghajnsielem. Minister Debono added that at the new ATC building, situated in the limits of Rabat, an appealing and prominent space has been specifically allocated in the reception area for this one-stop-shop.
Mr. Joe Camilleri, chairperson of the National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD), dealt with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, which Malta is in the process of ratifying. Dr. Kevin Cutajar, president of the above mentioned Federation then spoke about the legislation in Malta concerning persons with disability, particularly the Equal Opportunities Act (Persons with Disability) of the year 2000. An explanation by Mr. Alfred Bezzina, executive director of KNPD with respect to the measures currently being taken by Malta to ratify the Convention mentioned, followed.
The subjects dealt with by the speakers were later discussed by those present. The Bishop of Gozo, Mons. Mario Grech, delivered the closing speech.
As clearly evident by the subject, the Federation wished the conference to focus on the rights of persons with disability. In fact, it firmly believes that such persons, particularly those residing in Gozo, can only succeed, if they are aware of such rights.
6 Comments To "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Gozo"
#1 Comment By Carolyn Morris On December 22, 2013 @ 11:06 am
We were not impressed with the Gozo Ferry as there was NO INFORMATION regarding wheelchiars and my husband had to stay in the car and was very upset. It totally spoilt our day in Gozo sadly.
#2 Comment By James A. Tyrrell On December 23, 2013 @ 12:59 pm
I fail to see why your husband had to stay in the car as there are lifts on the car deck that access all the decks. And there are notices which clearly state that no one is permitted to remain in their cars during sailing. If you had spoken to the guy directing you where to park and explained that your husband was disabled they would probably have ensured that your car was positioned in an outside lane next to or close to a lift.
#3 Comment By Carolyn Morris On December 23, 2013 @ 5:47 pm
Yes that sounds totally feasible however..THERE WERE NO SIGNS ANYWHERE TO STATE THIS..we looked for someone to ask and there was no one around.
We are seasoned travellers on ferries across the channel and have always followed good signposting which they have there. We saw nothing or no one that could give us any indication as to where we should go. As we drove onto the ferry slowly no one bothered to notice that we had a large disabled blue badge in the front window!
In the light of this, it would seem that surely this criticism should make the ferry company sit up and take note and do something about it!
Lets hope so!
#4 Comment By James A. Tyrrell On December 24, 2013 @ 2:26 pm
You obviously didn’t check too hard before travelling. Personally I have travelled a lot on the ferry and I have yet to drive onto a ferry and find no staff there telling me which lane to drive into. As for no information being available it took me 10 seconds to find this; [4]
Can I draw you attention to where it says, ‘Do I need to Pre-Advise.’
#5 Comment By Mick Cundy On December 24, 2013 @ 4:53 am
You should brought to the attention of the staff, your ‘blue card’.
I have travelled frequently, with my disabled father and had no problems, even preferential parking on board with plenty of space to get in and out of the car.
When travelling with disabled passengers it is always best to do some research and if necessary contact service providers to ensure that adequate services are available.
Having said that I believe Malta could do a lot more to even start improving things for wheelchair users but again, I would not have brought a wheel chair user to Malta, sadly.
#6 Comment By Carolyn Morris On December 24, 2013 @ 8:39 am
Thank you for your comments Mike, but with the greatest respect we did lots of research as my husband has been in a wheelchair for 32 years and ALWAYS does loads of research before we go anywhere. There was NO INFORMATION TO BE FOUND. I walked all around the port to try and find someone who could tell me which lane we should be in, no one around at all and this was at lunchtime.The lack of information is really poor in Malta for disability and certainly needs to change.