Brian Micallef would love to see his relatives more often but for this to happen there has to be a bus stop close to Dar tal-Providenza, the home for disabled people in Siġġiewi, where he lives.

"There are no bus stops close by and this makes it difficult for parents and friends of people who live here to come and visit often. Even the staff who work here find it difficult to get to work," Mr Micallef says.

Sitting on his wheelchair, flanked by his support worker, he urges the authorities to improve public transport access to the home.

Mr Micallef is one of five members on the Intellectual Disability Consultative Committee's core group within the National Commission Persons with Disability.

The core group represents over 30 committee members with intellectual disabilities who meet regularly to discuss the challenges they face.

The group acts as a voice for the intellectually disabled whose concerns are then included in the KNPD's annual report, forwarded to the government. The aim is to ensure that intellectually disabled people are enabled to reach their full potential.

Many of them long to be more independent but are very much aware that they need a certain level of support to achieve this goal.

"I want to be a deejay," Mr Micallef says with a wide grin as he broaches the subject of employment - one of the challenges often raised during committee meetings.

Marthese Deguara feels people with intellectual disabilities, like her, are capable of doing certain jobs. "All we need is some support," she smiles as she goes on to list her housekeeping skills.

Omar Jelassi agrees, adding he is lucky to have found a job, helping out in a design studio. This allows him to have his own independence - something craved by his friend Alison Bonello, 23.

Like many young women in her 20s, Ms Bonello would like to move out of her parents' house and live with someone her age, ideally a boyfriend.

"I need help from support workers and my family need to back me up. I also need help managing my finances and assistance from the government to find a good place to live," she says.

The group agree that living arrangements are a common worry that crop up during committee meetings.

Many people with intellectual disabilities are concerned about what would become of them and where they would live once their parents pass away or can no longer look after them.

They agree that the authorities should listen to their voices before "homing" them since different people have different preferences - while some want to live with friends, others prefer to live alone with some support.

Public transport is another issue brought up often by the committee. Many feel they are capable of using a bus alone but are hampered by accessibility.

"Wheelchair users have problems getting on and off and sometimes we ring the bell but the driver keeps going," Ms Deguara says adding: "We just want to go and meet our friends more often."

Those attending day centres said that, while they appreciated the work of care workers, they wished they were asked what they wanted to do during their day.

People with intellectual disabilities also have to deal with insensitive people who make fun of them or believe they are good for nothing, they say.

"People out there need to try to understand us more. We are just trying to live our lives as best we can," Mr Jelassi added.