Commission concerned by employment problems of persons with disabilities

The National Commission, Persons with Disability, has expressed concern that not enough jobs are being made available for people with disabilities.

Commission chairman Joe Camilleri said that not only were persons with disability finding it difficult to find jobs, but the jobs they were eventually given were normally well below the level of what they were capable of doing.

The concern was shared by Social Policy Minister John Dalli who said the problem appeared to stem from stereotypes and prejudice which still existed.

"Many employers still think that persons with disabilities are less capable, take a lot of sick leave and need special equipment, but the work of the commission shows otherwise. What you need is adequate support and flexibility," the minister said.

"We are not expecting anybody to be paid for 40 hours a week while actually working for 20. This is about flexibility," Mr Camilleri said.

The comments were made during the launch of the commission's annual report this morning.

The report shows that last year there was a 59% increase in applications for the Blue Badge for reserved parking for persons with disabilities. However 18 percent of applications had not been recommended by the commission, an increase of 50% over the previous year. Twenty-nine appeals were lodged but 69% were rejected.

He said that in order to deter abusive use of the blue stickers, the commission as of last year started collecting the stickers of those who passed away. A total of 146 were collected last year.

Mr Camilleri complained that the commission was not regularly receiving from MEPA plans for major buildings to be vetted to ensure that there was accessibility for wheelchair-bound persons. In 2008 the percentage of buildings certified according to the commission's guidelines dropped from 95% to 56%.