I have read with interest the many contributions regarding independent living for people with disabilities in The Sunday Times.
As a disabled person myself, I have a personal interest in any discussion on this important right. Yet, the issue of independent living is not a simple topic. It requires a clear policy that addresses the needs of disabled people having different impairments, as well as those individuals who have complex or maximum support requirements.
It's crucial to point out that independent living goes beyond the provision of accessible housing or personal assistance and support. Undeniably, these are two central principles underpinning independent living but they do not guarantee this right.
In fact, the philosophy of independent living stresses the importance of having an opportunity to choose how we live our lives and thus exert self-determination. In this sense, personal assistance that does not fulfil these two principles cannot guarantee our independence.
Aġenzija Sapport has been doing a great job in ensuring people with disabilities continue living in their own communities. Its mission statement reflects a commitment to involve disabled people at every stage of service provision.
However, Sapport is forced to work within limits - both in terms of financial and human resources. It cannot be emphasised enough that this agency needs more state funding to ensure it continues assisting disabled people remain in the community and contribute to work while participating in the life of their community.
For us to have the opportunity to live independently, we also need to have equal access to mainstream buildings and services, to transport and housing, for example. In addition, we should not be excluded from education and employment opportunities and to be given chances like our non-disabled peers.
Such access would empower us to be active contributors in our society while helping the economy by being workers and consumers.
On another note, we need to revise our current benefit system by assigning benefits to disabled people according to their particular impairment needs and social situation. This would ensure that disabled people and families requiring high financial assistance receive adequate financial aid.
As a person with disability, I believe that we should involve ourselves in any debate on independent living. I feel it's important for us to transcend our own impairment group and recognise the right for independent living as the right of every disabled person - irrespective of impairment.
I cannot ignore the plight of intellectually disabled people in having their right to independent living respected. In addition, we also need to be open to the views of parents of people with a disability who cannot represent themselves on this matter.
Only by being a united front as people with disabilities can we truly move forward on this and other issues. Finally, a word of caution: although we should welcome the interest of political parties on this and similar issues, we should be careful not to turn this issue into a partisan political matter.