Need for public conveniences for disabled persons

Most towns and villages have squares in which public conveniences are well used by the public and tourists.

However, the ones that have been built for over a decade are generally not accessible to persons having special needs since these are underground, have steps and generally have too small WC compartments that do not have minimum internal dimensions to enable entrance by wheelchair users. Let alone the other needed facilities to enable full use like non-disabled persons! This is still a major barrier that precludes disabled persons and their carers from participation in social activities and leading a normal life.

Persons with disability should be able to find and use suitable lavatory accommodation no less easily than non-disabled persons in all public areas.

What should carers and disabled persons visiting Mosta/Lija/Mellieha square and Valletta bus terminus do when they need to use the toilet? What should parents tell their children with mobility difficulties when they need to use the toilet?

It is hoped that the Mosta Square project by the local council will be one in which provision of accessible toilets for disabled persons will be solved in the near future.

How many public conveniences for use by disabled persons are there in Valletta? What do tourists visiting Malta and Gozo say in this regard? Is this item being considered as one piece that fits the jigsaw of all items that can make one's holiday a satisfactory one?

New public buildings should by law have facilities that comply with the Access for All Design Guidelines by the National Commission Persons with Disability, but what about the already existing ones?

It is time that the government and all local councils make the necessary preparations and set target dates in the near future (one to two years) to ensure that all towns and villages and other existing major public places (theatres, cinemas, museums...) will have public conveniences with access to all sanitary facilities. This would be a welcome achievement for a society that cares about the needs of disabled persons and wants to take one more step to providing equal opportunities for all.