The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is on the 3rd of December. Its annual observance was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly.
The Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability (MFOPD) explained that the day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disability at every level of society and development and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disability in all aspects of their lives.
This year’s theme is ‘Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era.’ We are celebrating the challenges, barriers and opportunities for people with disability, in the context of a global pandemic, the Federation said.
It stressed that in Malta, as happened in other countries, persons with disability were seriously impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the problems which were being faced by persons with disability became more prominent while other new ones surfaced.
”For quite some time, persons with disability living in residential homes were denied meeting their families; students with disability were forced to have their lessons online (whether this was beneficial or not is another story); persons with disability attending the day centres had to stay at home; persons with disability lost their jobs; the essential services, such as therapies, for persons with disability stopped; persons with disability and their immediate family started showing symptoms of mental health with no support available; persons with disability were being asked to keep themselves isolated resulting in regression of their social life and others,” the MFOPD said.
It stated that ”persons with disability want a better life than the one before the pandemic. First and foremost they want their voice to be present at all times and on all that relates to them. They want to be listened to and not just heard. They want to be participants in discussions and decisions on all issues which effect their whole life.”
MFOPD concluded by saying that, ”persons with disability want to, and should be, at the centre of every discussion and decision pertaining to their needs and lives by all authorities and at all levels. We want good quality education; professional Supported Employment; decent work opportunities; personal assistance for a dignified independent life; a healthy accessible environment free from any barriers; to exercise the right to vote in a confidential manner; true value for the money being spent on disability.”