the Times reported some days ago that “A total of 122 complaints were registered this year with the National Commission of People with Disability (KNPD), which is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary. This year’s complaints brought the number of complaints for investigation to 274. A total 97 of them were closed, 13 are in court and 160 are still under consideration”.
These statistics clearly indicate that the complaints procedure at KNPD is regrettably idle and bungling.
If the numbers reported in The Times (November 23) are right there is something intrinsically wrong. These figures do not mirror the constant, consistent aggravation that disabled people and their families come across and KNPD know this, at least, as much as I do.
The commission has to realise that whereas in particular areas the sector has registered weighty improvement, in the area of ‘accessibility’ and ‘equal opportunities’ it has stalled and repeatedly so.
A disabled activist inconspicuously stated that the number of complaints is far too low given the realities in Malta. If I read correctly, the complaints submitted appear to revolve on accessibility but it seems that there were none that cantered on discrimination at the workplace. Despite the existence of the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disabilities) Act, there are employers that are still breaking the law.
“The reasons why disabled people fail to report their grievances are varied. They range from false hopes, to fear of aggravating the situation, to distrust in KNPD or, maybe, even lack of awareness that KNPD can handle such matters.”
He continues that “disabled persons still stand at a distinct disadvantage in Malta”.
Obviously, one could argue that KNPD is taking all the necessary action on the complaints it receives. Well, this is probably the case but the statistics only mean that the commission’s systems and procedures are out of sync with what disabled people and their families are experiencing on the ground, namely; inaccessibility and discrimination in the labour market; inability to access (physically) government offices, departments and ministries, shops and other services; pavements that put a disabled person’s life at risk; public transport that hasn’t got all its ramps sorted out; an educational system that is not equipping the students well enough to face the world ‘out there’, among other things. I could go on forever.
Considering there are 40,000 disabled people in Malta (and a conservative estimation of 100,000 immediate family members), it becomes obvious that the number of people making complaints is far too low, not because grievances should be relative to ‘population’ but because the situation on the ground is much shoddier.
When you speak to disabled people and their families, many repeatedly talk about a situation that is almost theatrical given that day-to-day bread and butter issues are hardly being addressed.
I have been saying this over and over: KNPD needs to get out of its crust and call a spade a spade. It has to decide what it stands for. It cannot be expected to have all these enmeshed roles that have been thrown at it over these last years: being the ‘administrative arm of the Government’, the custodian of the Equal Opportunities Act (Persons with Disability 2000), the representative of disabled people and their families, a service provider, a ‘customer care’ office and policy developer, all in one. These roles are too close to call and possibly discordant.
Furthermore, having a few disabled people (most of them valid civil servants) in its structures does not give KNPD the grace to represent the disabled community from end to end and speak as if it is the one and only endorsed route of this minority.
Disabled people should have the possibility to choose their own mechanisms of representation, whereby the copious NGOs and the Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability come immediately to mind.
I still believe that KNPD as an entity can play a central role in this sector despite these abstemious realities but within a context that has changed drastically over the 20-25 years since its inception.
I suggest the ensuing course of action: A wide-spanning national conference that will debate the changing disability landscape and the consequential adjustments that need to be reflected in the administrative structures running this sector.
The setting up of an Ombudsman for Minority Issues to sieve through the complaints.
A permanent and structured role for the Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability to represent grassroot entreaties in all government structures.
A nationwide evaluation and of the physical (in)accessibility problems that should converge the efforts of KNPD, the Local Councils Association and the Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability.
An audit of the merit and sustainability of the inclusive education services that are fundamental if we are really keen to have more disabled people actively engaged in the community.
This might sound like a tall order but this sector is desperate for the transformations needed.
My hope lies in a cluster of upcoming young disabled people who are taking this agenda on board.
It must be my passion with the youth sector but young people have always been at the forefront of change in this country. This can’t be any different.
This is the time to stand up and be counted; young disabled people should reach out and move ahead.