The Year of Equal Opportunities?

It is with great relief and appreciation that I noticed the reaction 'Disability and the Zebra' in Lino Spiteri's Wide Angle (The Sunday Times, July 22) to my article 'Disrespect for persons with a disability' in The Times (July 17).

It is not the first time that the National Parents' Society of Persons with Disability (NPSPD) published such transgressions and photos. Still proper accessibility often seems to be conveniently ignored.

Mr Spiteri was very right when he wrote that I shouldn't have held punches by not revealing the place where this pole was placed as I believe this is the only way such people learn. Believe me, this was not intentional, for I was so intent on getting the whole incident off my chest that I failed to mention the exact place where this happened!

The pole in the middle of a parking place reserved for disabled people in St Francis Square in Victoria, Gozo, with government offices just by. This photo was taken on July 3 and the feast was to be held a fortnight later.

There are several other cases where pavement access for wheelchairs was blocked by such poles and feast statue pedestals. This is common at nearly all localities were village feasts are held. The thing is that such feast decorations obstruct safe access for pedestrians, especially disabled people using wheelchairs, for the feast duration, generally at least two to three weeks. It is not for just one or two days!

There were similar obstacles just by Mosta Square in Main Street. Feast decorations for lights and statues were installed, blocking access further. The feast was held on August 15 and, considering that all decorations have to be removed, this is a case of at least three weeks. Ironically, the parish priest's office is just at the end of road.

What's the use of ramps at the end of pavements if access is so blatantly denied? Are the authorities aware that pavements should legally be not less than 1.2 metres wide, according to the Access for All Design Guidelines (www.knpd.org).

Wheelchair users and parents with buggies have to walk on the main road, with consequential safety risks. If an accident happens, who would be liable in such cases?

What were the visually-impaired to do in such situations? In Malta we have the Occupational Health and Safety Authority for work places. But for public places?

It is strange that such infringements are so publicly accepted; 2007 is the year of Equal Opportunities for All - a Europe-wide initiative which aims to give momentum to the fight against discrimination. Where are people's rights, recognition and respect? Is this how we are to celebrate the Year of Equal Opportunities?