Disability, diversity and respect for one another

I refer to the letter of Marthese Galea, PRO, National Parents' Society of Persons with Disability (The Times, July 17) as well as Lino Spiteri's Wide Angle (The Sunday Times, July 22). Seeing the photo with a pole in the middle of a parking space reserved for disabled persons in Gozo simply leaves one speechless.

Although Ms Galea did not specify the place in Gozo, it is obvious this square is St Francis Square near the Government offices in Victoria. Moreover, the pole was blocking the reserved parking space not just for one day, but for the entire duration of the village festa for at least two weeks!

During this time some Gozo official should have come to the conclusion that this is not just disrespectful but also unacceptable!

From my own experience with my son with special needs, I can only confirm that reserved parking spaces are often occupied by persons who do not hold a Blue Sticker. Mr Spiteri referred to the space reserved by the Bank of Valletta branch in Attard, repeatedly occupied by non-authorised persons.

The same thing can be said about the reserved parking space in front of Naxxar council, situated right next to the local police station!

Sometimes, when I encounter such situations, I gather all my courage, and politely point out to the culprit that such parking spaces are reserved for persons with disability. Invariably this results in negative comments, if not worse...

Serves me right? How dare I claim the fundamental rights for my son when the culprit believes having an errand in the vicinity gives him/her the right to "just quickly" or for a longer period, occupy whatever parking space is available.

Apart from the fact that unauthorised persons occupy reserved parking due to ignorance and/or lack of respect, I can strongly confirm that there is a general problem finding appropriate parking for persons with disability in Malta.

First of all, most parking bays are simply too small to unload a wheelchair comfortably, e.g. the reserved parking spaces outside the Out-Patients Building of St Luke's, leading down a rather narrow slope). Reserved parking near public beaches is either too small or simply non-existent. Not to mention accessibility of beaches, but this is a subject in itself.

The list of inconveniences for disabled persons goes on and on. According to 'Design Guidelines - Access for All', there should be at least one accessible space for every three-10 parking spaces, two spaces or one van for every 11-25 parking spaces and so on. If the authorities complied with these guidelines, parking spaces for persons with disability would be ample.

All this is very frustrating to persons with disability and their families. I agree with Ms Galea that more awareness about the needs of persons with disability should to be raised. But I believe this information about disability should rather come about through an appreciation of diversity and respect for one another. Most of the time we are 'disabled' by society.

In conclusion, the laws already exist. Why do we constantly have to point these out and waste time when we have the same rights as everyone else? Government authorities must enforce and ensure that support is given according to the legal and fundamental rights of any human being - no more, no less!