Contrary to previous years, the National Commission Persons with Disability this year received a greater number of complaints related to instances of discrimination in the labour market than complaints related to the education sector, according to KNPD chairman Joe Camilleri.

This afternoon, the KNPD presented its annual report on the Equal Opportunities Act 2012-13. Mr Camilleri explained how this law was further solidified following Malta’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last year.

Mr Camilleri added that the shift in complaints based on the education sector to that of employment was reflective of how the expectations of disabled people and their families evolved throughout the years.

The sector which received most complaints remained that of physical accessibility. Other sectors included services, housing and insurance.

New complaints filed between October 2012 and September 2013 increased by 34 per cent when compared to the same period last year. Closed complaints increased by six per cent. Within this period, the KNPD worked on 341 complaints.

He remarked that although it was of utmost importance that disabled and non-disabled people inform themselves of their obligations and rights before the law, education was not enough. Enforcement was required before serious failings.

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