Chairs on tactile paving at a pedestrian crossing.

A team of young people have put the spotlight on the lack of accessibility for disabled people in parts or Qawra and St Paul’s Bay, after they drew up a report identifying hazards such as dangerous pavements and inaccessible paths.

The report containing their recommendations was presented to the government and local council and some of the hazards have since been removed, the chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disability, Oliver Scicluna, said.

While the action may not have been as a direct result of the report, this certainly raised awareness to the issue, he said.

Mr Scicluna led 10 youths, aged between 13 and 25 – including four disabled youngsters – around their locality taking pictures of danger spots.

They found cars parked in front of ramps and dropped pavements designed for wheelchair users, high steps leading into shops, garbage bags on the streets blocking the way and even chairs from bars and restaurants placed on tactile paving (textured ground surface to assist the visually impaired) at pedestrian crossings.

It’s not the first time I have tripped, wheelchair and all

“The scariest bit is when it comes to going down a chipped ramp. It’s not the first time I have tripped, wheelchair and all, and my mother has had to help me back up,” said Rocco Gauci, 13, one of the members of the group.

He has been using the wheelchair for the past five years and is always accompanied when he ventures out.

Ramp leading to Qawra Leap Centre reception area.

This means that if he ever falls over due to some pothole or uneven pavement, there is someone to help him back up.

However, when the day arrives that he has to go out on his own, this sort of dangerous infrastructure will always be at the back of his mind.

Another thing that worries him is that he might get hit by a car if drivers do not spot him. This calls for more awareness about sharing the roads with people who have different needs.

Raising awareness about such issues, which others without a disability might take for granted, was one of the aims of the project, funded by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth. It brought together a group called Youth Included, the national commission and the Qawra Leap Centre.

Called Seeking Accessibility through Active Participation, the project aims to raise awareness among other young people and promote cooperation from everyone.