Opposition and Alternattiva Demokratika spokesmen this morning echoed concerns raised by the  former head of the National Commission for Persons with Disability regarding   government's plans for a €12 million Disability Hub.

Addressing a one-day conference focusing on the United Nations convention for disabled persons,  PN spokesman Robert Cutajar criticised the government's 'lack of consultation' over this project, while AD chairperson Arnold Cassola deemed it as a step backwards in inclusive policies. 

Concerns were also raised from the floor from a number of stakeholders and parents who called for more clarity on this project.

In her reaction Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana refuted claims that this hub was encouraging "segregation" of disabled persons. 

"This will not be a place in the middle of nowhere but at the heart of the community," she remarked.

Dr Caruana noted that residential services will only constitute a small fraction of its functions. The Parliamentary Secretary also insisted that this project did not go against Article 19 of the UN on independent living in the community.  

 

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