Families of people with disabilities, irrespective of the nature of the impairment, should benefit from training on how to care for the disabled person.

This is one of a series of measures listed in the draft national policy on the rights for persons with disability that was launched for consultation today.

Parliamentary Secretary Franco Mercieca said that the policy tackled a range of subjects that including the more obvious ones – like employment, education and accessibility – and the less conservative ones - like research, sexuality and parenthood.

In fact the document says there must be a comprehensive national policy on the freedom of sexual expression of persons with disability and that supported parenthood schemes should be created.

In the section on accessibility - that has often been named as a main obstacle to integration together with education and employment – the policy speaks about having electronic devices that announce the arrival of public transport at terminals and having information in Braille and in large fonts on tickets.

“Our Holy Grail is to mainstream people with disabilities,” Mr Mercieca said during the launch that took place at the Floriana offices of MSV Life that employs 10 people with disabilities.

The document, drawn up by the Action Committee for Social Justice, will be launched for a six-week consultation. A seminar will take place ahead of the drawing up of a strategy on the subject.

The policy was drawn up by the Action Council for a Fair Society with the secretariat coordinated by Michael Debattista. Those who would like a copy of the consultation document can send an email on disabilitypolicy.mfss@gov.mt.