Disabled persons need constitutional guarantee

Reading with great interest the Talking Point of April 9 by Lino Spiteri, I felt shocked that in our Constitution there is so little reference to disabled persons. At the moment I live under great stress knowing that my child and others like her who have Down's Syndrome or other disabilities will be leaving school in a matter of weeks at the end of fifth form.

Our children have a right to an amended Constitution based on equal opportunities, which Europe is celebrating this year. We need to have a concrete, clear, constitutional provision regarding diversity and the fulfilment of the individual educational needs of intellectually disabled persons. We parents do not want our children to be used as ping-pong balls in the issue of inclusive and special education.

Now is the time for our MPs to truly think of our children and vote to amend the Constitution in such a way that guarantees preparation for the workplace. Such an amendment would change the lives of intellectually disabled persons, who would no longer depend on their pension and be a burden on the taxpayer but become taxpayers themselves.

There should be no segregation in special centres or exclusion from further education. The state has created institutions to expand the openings for citizens with disabilities.

Let the year 2007, dedicated to Equal Opportunities, engrave this in the Constitution. The majority of MPs should be able to agree on this.

This is not an issue of political colour but one of aims, needs and values. It is to grant disabled persons full equality, just like the rest of God's creatures. Parents are waiting to see social justice being done. The time for entitlement is over. It is the time for a constitutional guarantee.