Fragmented representation sometimes makes it difficult to assess what disabled persons actually want, according to the Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina.

In Malta there are about 80 organisations working for disabled persons.

Ms Cristina was addressing the UK EU Presidency Disability Conference entitled Improving Life Chances Of Disabled People, in London last week.

Ms Cristina spoke on the efforts being made to mainstream disability into all policy areas and to empower not just disabled persons but also their families.

Anne McGuire, the UK minister responsible for disabled people, emphasised that, although changes envisaged for society cannot be achieved overnight, a more "joined-up" approach was needed for policy on all issues which affect, directly or indirectly, disabled people. It is estimated that there are 37 million disabled citizens in the EU and, according to EU Commission representative Louisella Pavan Woolfe, only 16 per cent of those who need help (in employment conditions) actually get it.

The EU Commission will soon be publishing a communication on a disability action plan.

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