The Fgura council will be amending the wording of the signs displayed in disability parking bays in which the terms “stupid” and “disability” are used in the same sentence.
The signs, which went viral on Facebook with many welcoming the council’s bold move, stated: “Being stupid isn’t a disability. Keep these spaces free for those who really need them.”
Fgura mayor Byron Camilleri explained that the council had received complaints from some disabled people who “might have misunderstood” the message.
“I was particularly convinced by the argument of a son of a disabled man who specialised in disability studies. He argued that while he could see the positive message, having the words ‘stupid’ and ‘disability’ in the same sentence might reinforce past negative stereotypes of associating the two.
“He convinced me and we’ve taken a council decision to amend the wording. In any case, our aim of reaching people and raising awareness was reached.”
Our aim was to embarrass those who parked in disabled bays
Dr Camilleri explained that the idea was born after the local council received a large number of complaints from disabled people saying that irresponsible motorists were making use of the parking bays normally reserved for blue badge holders.
Most of the complaints centred on the parking bays located close to shops, such as bakeries.
“I was overwhelmed with the positive reaction. Everyone was speaking about it. Our aim was to embarrass those who parked in disabled bays.”
The National Commission Persons with Disability welcomed the signs as “a novel way to get the message across”.
However, chairman Joe Camilleri admitted that the sign did give rise to an internal discussion among commission staff. Some felt that, while the intention was good, the use of the word “stupid” could perpetuate negative stereotypes with regard to people with intellectual impairments.
“On a purely personal level, I disagree with the definitions given in most dictionaries that identify stupidity with some form of intellectual impairment.”
He explained that, to his mind, “stupidity” meant the wilful refusal to learn, with the accent on “wilful”. Therefore, stupidity was a conscious rejection by an individual of any attempt at self-improvement.
Mr Camilleri added that ignorance, on the other hand, was simply the state of “not knowing” and, therefore, a state that could be remedied by instruction and the willingness to learn.
“In future, to avoid any unintentional confusion between stupidity and intellectual impairment, perhaps similar signs could read: ‘Being egoistic isn’t a disability’.”
“As long as they are done in good taste, the commission welcomes innovative efforts at raising public awareness. Well done Fgura local council.”