Malta will have its first strategy dealing with the needs of disabled people by the middle of next year, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Franco Mercieca announced yesterday.
A committee, called the Action Committee for a Fair Society, has been created to draw up policy recommendations that will culminate in the strategy, he said.
“We felt there was the need for a committee to act as a place where disability groups can join forces,” Mr Mercieca said, adding that the creation of this committee also meant fulfilling an obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The committee will be made up of people with disabilities, their relatives, as well as academics in the field.
It will be chaired by Oliver Scicluna, who has a physical disability, while community studies lecturer Andrew Azzopardi will be a consultant.
The committee members will have two main roles: to draw up recommendations on policy for equality and inclusion, and to organise a national conference towards the beginning of next year to bring stakeholders together.
Mr Mercieca said the committee would complement the work of the National Commission Persons with Disability that will be focusing on its regulatory role.
Asked about Labour’s electoral promise to set up a trust foundation to cater for the needs of disabled people, Mr Mercieca said a document would soon be presented for Cabinet’s approval.
This document, he later elaborated, would pave the way for a call for expressions of interest to be issued for organisations interested in contributing to the trust foundation.
He added that he was in talks with the Employment and Training Corporation to come up with long-term employment schemes for the disabled.
The lack of employment opportunities is one of the main hurdles faced by the disabled.
Mr Scicluna explained that accessibility and independence were another two important aspects that would be addressed through the action committee.