Accessibility problems bedevil public buildings applications

The National Commission Persons with Disability expressed concern about the high number of applications for the construction of public buildings that had not met its accessibility criteria.

In its annual report, published yesterday, it said it had vetted 466 applications in 2002, of which 223 were recommended with conditions laid down and 229 that were not recommended. Fourteen are still pending.

It also carried out 16 inspections and found nine premises to be unsuitable.

Without the commission's approval, the clearance and compliance certificate cannot be issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Without the certificate, the applicant cannot get water and electricity connections.

The high number of applications turned down showed that developers were still not heeding the guidelines for accessibility laid down by the commission, it said.

The report lists a number of the commission's successes, such as the installation by Bank of Valletta of accessible ATMs and the bank's commitment to have half its branches accessible within three years.

A ramp was installed at the law courts to make them accessible and the entrance to the St Helen's parish church, in Birkirkara was also altered.

Maltapost has agreed to ensure that its postboxes are no higher than 120cms so that they can be reached by people with disability.

The report mentions the case of four shops which are not accessible to the disabled, which shops ironically sell objects for the disabled such as wheelchairs. Two have since moved premises.

Some cases had to be resolved legally or through arbitration. One of the latter involved the theatre at St James Cavalier, in Valletta which was not accessible. Following arbitration, St James was instructed to remedy the situation within six months.

A total of 7,493 disabled persons are registered with the commission.