The Down Syndrome Association is greatly disappointed with the austerity measures decided by the government and which will be affecting persons with disability.

It is shameful to take from the most needy and allowing others to become wealthier and to continue to have ultra comfortable lives at the expense of the persons with disability. Let us not beat around the bush! This is to be the effect of the measures. The Down Syndrome Association is not going to list from where the budget cuts should have been made – lots of others have already pointed this out.

Persons with a disability, and mostly persons who have an intellectual disability as do our members, are the most vulnerable and the most who need professional help to learn the skills to live an independent a life as possible. Why did the government need to deduct from their budget? Why does the government, on one hand talk and work on changing its laws to abide by the UN Convention and at the very same instance take such an insensitive decision, which negatively affects persons with disability? This is a total regress to what we were expecting vis-à-vis the UN Convention.

The Down Syndrome Association hopes the government reverses its decision for the benefit of all Maltese citizens with disability.