The National Parents’ Society of Persons with Disability would like to commend the initiative taken by the Birkirkara council to gather statistics on persons with a disability in the locality and identify their various needs and shortcomings.

The aim is to create a better and friendlier social environment by providing the necessary services. A consultation meeting for parents and disabled persons was held in the presence of the mayor and a social sub-committee.

Some of the suggestions discussed included a fully-accessible youth centre for socialising opportunities, evening classes in basic literacy, numeracy, IT and life skills, cultural outings, a respite centre in the locality and running a residential home for the disabled.

Two social events, including a visit to the Police Headquarters have already been organised.Unfortunately, some requests will be difficult to implement due to a lack of funds.

The NPSPD feels that, due to other heavy demands on the national support services, the needs of the disabled are still being given low priority in spite of the commitment and goodwill of the present administration.

Like any other citizen and in spite of their limitations, people with a disability have every right to benefit from society’s resources and to be given opportunities to participate in everyday community life.

Local councils should play a leading role to provide these opportunities and be the first to set examples such as the provision of fully-accessible coach transfers for outings organised by the councils themselves.

If other councils follow the example of Birkirkara, more awareness will be created and, perhaps, funds will be forthcoming to address this long overdue reform in our society.