With reference to the article by Claudia Calleja (The Sunday Times, March 1) entitled 'Teenager's fight to lead a normal life', and the letter by Joseph Camilleri entitled 'Plight of Wheelchair users' (The Sunday Times, March 8), the National Parent's Society for Persons with Disability (NPSPD) would like to express its support for Roberta Magri's efforts to lead a normal life.
We admire the fact that Ms Magri won't allow her disability to take over her life. And we agree with Mr Camilleri, chairman of the National Commission for People with Disability, that the disabled should speak up for their needs. Everybody wants to enjoy life, with or without disability, no matter what age.
We are aware of the obstacles a person with a disability has to deal with on a daily basis and the frustration that comes along with the recurrent lack of accessibility. NPSPD continuously strives to point out this out to the authorities and other relevant entities.
While we appreciate the great work of the National Commission for People with Disability, as well as an overall change towards better accessibility in general, there are many issues which are in need of urgent improvement.
Only around 25 per cent of buses are accessible to wheelchair users or people with a mobility problem. This means that public transport is practically inaccessible since it is impossible for a wheelchair user to plan outings based on the hope that a low floor coach will pass by.
Moreover, according to 'Access for All Design Guidelines', for every 10 parking bays there should be one reserved parking bay. It is evident that the situation is still far from the official guidelines.
Accessibility to public conveniences, pavements, zebra crossings, public beaches, shops, theatres and restaurants are just a few issues that need urgent improvement.
The situation is far from providing equal opportunities and not very encouraging for disabled people and their carers striving to lead a normal life when the attempt to plan every little detail for an accessible outing is ruined just by coming across a pavement without a ramp.