Malta kamra tad-deputati kumitat permanenti dwar l-affarijiet soċjali

IS-SA MARQUITA MANGIAFICO: I think it’s more of a matter of attitude. We can never solve the problem unless there is a positive attitude. And a positive attitude is also the result of culture. So if a new pavement is being constructed, we have to keep in mind that the pavement has to be accessible.
We are talking about the Local Councils. Yes, a lot has changed. But unfortunately – and I won’t mention the place because it is still standing -, one of our millennium projects, where even the law for equal opportunities was introduced, is inaccessible. If a wheelchair bound person wants to access this particular place, he has to go through the garages. Reason being that right on the front it has a beautiful entrance, but there are stairs which takes you right up to the sea. But like I said, unfortunately they cannot be accessed by a wheelchair.
And I myself didn't even notice this problem! It was only when my sister was walking with her baby in a pram and she wanted to have a coffee right by the seaside, that she realised that she had to carry the pram down the stairs. And she was shouting that I'm doing nothing about accessibility. Like I said, this place is still standing as is.
Another big building has just opened and although it is being advertised that it is accessible, unfortunately it isn’t as it is supposed to be and not according to the standards rules.
If I may say so also, near the University, infront where the book shops are, the roads there are in a terrible state and nearly inaccessible for every student, let alone students with disability. There is practically not one place to walk, and this is a very small area. I cannot understand what the locality of Msida is waiting for until they tackle this problem, because anyone can be walking in that street, find a pothole and literally break an ankle. (Interruptions) Outside the old University gate. The problem of accessibility will continue to be there.
To answer your initial question. As such our association never had meetings to discuss these issues with the Local Councils. Mainly we correspond by e-mail and Mr Ronald Calleja sends a lot of details as well. Also the main speaker on official basis is always the Commission. Generally it is the Commission who have meetings with the authorities.
Earlier in our presentation, for example beaches were mentioned. It is really very very sad to have none of the beaches accessible to disabled persons. Only last year - and correct me if I'm wrong - a ramp was built in Mellieħa Bay which takes you directly infront of where the boats are. So again, why just this one ramp? There should be a ramp in every beach! Also ramps have to reach the food gabbanas. And why not in other beaches? Disabled people aren’t forcibly to stay in one particular place only. Imagine if all of the ten thousand that have a mobility problem go just where this ramp is. It would get a little bit overcrowded, won’t it? So it is not creating equal opportunities.
So we are giving our beaches the blue flag, but really and truly, please come and tell me where exactly the access for everyone is?
There's another project that is going to be introduced: some form of wheelchairs that can go on the beach. We still have to see how it’s going to work and who is going to manage it.
Unfortunately, every time disabled persons try to suggest something, it is always the same old story. Either it is going to cost too much - and we know that there are certain incentives that can help with regards to accessibility - or else how many people will be visiting. Of course, if it is inaccessible disabled persons are not going to visit. So it's always the same old story. And then everyone say yes, yes, yes and nothing ever happens.
IS-SUR RONALD CALLEJA: And nothing materialises.
IS-SA MARQUITA MANGIAFICO: So, yes we feel that the administration within the Local Council should really be doing this work. I don't think our association should be doing this work when the Local Councils should be bothering what is happening outside.
With regards to our relationship with Agenzija Appoġġ. Our main issues are always dealt with Agenzija Sapport - which is a branch of Agenzija Appoġġ - because it mainly specialises in the needs of the families and the persons with disability. Also Aġenzija Sapport, is also managing certain programmes to improve the workforce with regards to persons with disability. It is also running the Adults’ Training Centres. So our main concern is with Aġenzija Sapport.
If I can make a personal remark. Although our association always tries to be included in everything - as I just mentioned now with Agenzija Appoġġ - but we fall under another branch. The same goes with the Commissioner for Children. Although there are children in our association, but again, because the Commission for Children is not specialised to deal with matters of persons with disability, again we need to have our own branch.
So, yes something needs to come together, where there won't be any distinction. If you are a disabled person and yes you want to go to Agenzija Appoġġ, then you're more than welcome to get the service there and then.
With regards the question that Dr. Fenech Adami has asked regarding the NGOs committee funds. Yes, we meant that there used to be an NGO committee where it allocated a certain amount of funds to NGOs. Of course, the big NGOs always got the majority of these funds - rightly so because of their big projects. We used to be allocated a small amount, which last year was about €300, I think. Just enough to cover some administration costs.
Generally we issue a monthly newsletter to our members. So it was just enough to cover for photocopying. Postage is partly covered by the Commission. So those funds were used just for really basic administration. The association always presented the receipts.
We don't even have enough to cover phone calls and other expenses. (Interruptions) This year, after registering with the Commission for Voluntary Organisations, we thought that our association was going to have a bit more with regards to benefits or privileges. We had all our papers presented and everything was in place. But we weren’t even allocated the money we had last year. In fact those €300 didn't even come.
So, what we are asking is very very minimal. We have many families who are in need. Although we didn't include it in the presentation, when we organise activities, to hire a lifter, which take just three wheelchairs, it cost over €45, which is a lot of money. Imagine, if you have more wheelchairs.
We only charge parents something very minimal. Because we believe that everybody should contribute, and they are not to cover the expenses. Our funds, if anything, all the profits that come from the activities that are organised between us, all goes to fund the transport. This way, parents are able to participate in the activities.
Basically it is not because we don't want to say that we have special needs. I think everyone has problems and everyone has difficulties one way or the other. Everybody has a disability, everybody is good in something and bad in something else. So truly we are not any different.
In the end, we try to change every person's attitude. When we ensure that everyone is included, then I suppose we can really be fully inclusive. And then of course there are the financial problems that we are facing. The costs are very heavy. I have only mentioned a few examples. We take a lot of this financial burden inside our homes. Whatever needs to be done we have to go on and do it.
The association also used to get help from the Community Chest Fund, but now the funds are distributed to other people as well. We feel that we have taken many steps forward ..... (Interruptions)...
Before we used to have benefits with regards to our old licence and to the registration on the cars that are wheelchair accessible. From last year this has changed. After five years, we have to start paying 50% of the licence. We have done many steps forward and of course, we really want to be part of society and we want to give our contribution. We always tell our parents that we are part of society and so we also have to contribute. It’s not the amount that we have to contribute, everybody has their own needs, but we are all contributors.
Whereas up until now, we never paid any road licence - and this has helped us to make up for the difficulties of not finding parking, not finding accessible streets and roads and not having the assistance that we want - now we are still not finding those and have to start paying half of the road tax as well.
Many steps have been taken in a positive direction. But if we talk about respite homes.... Before there used to be a system where there was subsidy. Now that has started to decrease. Everyone knows that the costs are enormous for respite homes, but then again, it is something that we need. Because without respite, us parents would not be able to survive the day to day situation that we're facing now.
ONOR. MICHAEL GONZI: After all the problems that you have mentioned, which one do you think is the most crucial and this committee needs to start tackling? I know that both respite and finance are important. But which one do you think - as you have mentioned quite a number of points – is the most important, if we were to meet in a couple of years' time and we say, listen at least this problem has been tackled out?
IS-SA MARQUITA MANGIAFICO: I think it is addressing and ensuring that our children will have a good quality of life from now into the future. Apart from all those things that we have mentioned, to have a good quality of life and also to have financial assistance. It’s not fair that our children, ad infinitum, are going to continue depending on us parents. Because even if I want to let my son go, living with just the disability pension alone, he will not make it. And there is nothing else to make up for it. There isn't another scheme that he can get his services from. .
I would have liked to have a personal assistant, but with what income? I only earn one wage. How can I give my income to a personal assistant to look after my son. So that is a major problem.
Residential homes are also a big problem. We would really like to have the opportunity to start settling our children now, when we are growing old, so that we will be sure that wherever they're going, they can have the same environment they have at home. We want to ensure that the people who are working with them, know everything about our children. It doesn't have to be a drastic measure. And now that’s what is really happening.
Probably all the disabled persons that are now in a residential home, is because of a drastic measure. Either both parents have passed away, the parents have become sick or are now too old that they cannot cater for them any more. Or else the child has become too agressive in his behaviour.
As you can see, the three of us are not that old, but our children are growing up. How can we physically handle them? So yes, residential homes are a big problem.
Then there are parents who have means of actually having their own residential home. But they're finding no assistance and no co-operation with the authorities to at least provide professional staff and a joint partnership. Even if the parents are economically stable, they only have the means to open a home. They wouldn’t have the kind of money to ensure that the staff will be paid to look after their children into the future.
IS-SUR RONALD CALLEJA: If the parents are economically stable enough to set up a home for their child, he would then be penalised, because if there's money allocated to his home, he will have enough income and then he will not be entitled to a pension.
One is against the other. It would be helpful if the public is more aware of these things.
THE CHAIRMAN: Sinjuri wasalna biex nikkonkludu. L-ewwel ħaġa naħseb li r-rapport għandu jkun jismu “Ensuring that our children will have a good quality of life”. Għax kif smajna, dik hija l-ikbar preokkupazzjoni li għandkom. Biex fir-rapport tagħna we translate your fears, hopes, and aspirations.
It-tieni ħaġa. Jien naħseb li dan ir-rapport irid iqanqal kuxjenza favur il-problemi tal-familja u tal-persuni b'diżabilità. Kif għedtu tajjeb intom, il-problema mhijiex biss tal-persuni b'diżabilità imma hija wkoll problema tal-extended family tagħhom. Allura it goes far beyond the actual person that has a disability.
Imbagħad issue kbira oħra hija l-aċċessibilità. Għax jekk nibdew bl-issue tal-aċċessibilità infrastrutturali, se teħodna f’dik li hija aċċessibilità soċjali. U allura nkunu qegħdin niġġieldu kontra l-inklużjoni soċjali. Imma waħda ma tistax twassal għal oħra.
Jien mill-esperjenza tgħallimt, li dak li jibqa' fil-ħajja huwa x'tista' tirranġa mill-infrastruttura. L-ewwel ħaġa rridu nibdew mill-infrastruttura u jkollna wkoll guidelines speċifiċi - li kif qal Ronald l-infrastruttura għandha tkun aċċessibbli – biex dak li jidher, irid ikun aċċessibbli. Imbagħad minn hemm nistgħu naslu biex ikollna aċċessibiltà f'dak li ma jidhirx, li hija l-mentalità. Hawnhekk imbagħad inkunu qegħdin niġġieldu l-inklużjoni soċjali.
Naħseb li dawn huma l-punti li rridu nitkellmu dwarhom. L-aċċessibilità infrastrutturali: li tidher imma wkoll tagħmel il-ħajja fiżikament aħjar fil-kwalità tagħha. Imbagħad immorru għall-inklużjoni soċjali, fejn allura għandek l-aċċessibilità soċjali għall-well being tal-persuna u tal-familji tagħhom.
Jiġifieri mill-inklużjoni soċjali, il-well being u l-infrastruttura, imbagħad iva jidħlu dawn il-punti kollha li intom semmejtu, l-edukazzjoni, respite, impjiegi, is-sistema tat-tassazzjoni, kif se nibdew inħarsu lejn il-familja li qiegħda trabbi persuna b'diżabilità u dawk il-proposti kollha li intom semmejtu. Imma r-rapport tagħna rridu nwassluh biex iqanqal strateġija, u mhux bħala crisis management.
IS-SUR RONALD CALLEJA: Nixtiequ li jkun hemm target date.
THE CHAIRMAN: Imma stenna Ronald, ħalli ma noħolqux tamiet li ma jistgħux jintlaħqu. Aħna m'aħniex fl-eżekuttiv. Aħna lobby intern fil-parlament mas-soċjeta' u l-eżekuttiv tal-gvern. Jiġifieri aħna qegħdin nippruvaw inkunu extension għalikom. Qegħdin niftehmu? U l-piż tagħkom nerfgħuh aħna magħkom biex inwassluh. Allura as such ma jistax ikolli daqstant dates speċifiċi. Nista' ngħid li f'Jannar, Frar u Marzu li ġej, inkunu qegħdin niddiskutu dan ir-rapport, għax issa dalwaqt is-sajf.
Qabel is-sajf rridu niddiskutu l-koabitazzjoni, eċċ., imbagħad ikun hemm il-budget fejn ikollna ħafna sessions li ma nistgħux inkunu qegħdin hawn, imbagħad forsi nerġgħu nibdew f'Jannar u Frar fejn hopefully nibdew nitkellmu fuq dan ir-rapport. Hopefully nixtieq li jkun wieħed mill-ewwel rapporti li niddiskutu, għax għandna ħafna paperwork li qed nikkonsidrah lest, u kull ma jkollna huwa sempliċement kif se nagħmlu l-cut and paste u nwasslu l-istrateġija.
Però 'l hemm irridu nimxu: kif se nqanqlu kuxjenza iżjed nazzjonali favur din it-tip ta' ħtieġa. Għax jien naħseb li meta bdejna from scratch, mix-xejn, sakemm wasalna to a certain extent, għaġġielna u ġrejna u bdejna naraw ċertu kambjament. Issa li tlajna f'ċertu żvilupp qisna naħseb waqafna ftit u ma nafux iżjed fejn nistgħu niżviluppaw wara li għamilna ċertu ground work. Għamilna l-guidelines, imma issa rridu nimxu fuqhom.
Mit-tieni punt ta' żvilupp, irridu nimxu iżjed bil-mod u allura ftit se jkun qed jidher. Dan bħal meta tifel jibda jikber, l-ewwel tlieta jew ħames snin ikollu speedy growth imbagħad tibda tara l-iżvilupp iktar bil-mod. Jiġifieri hawnhekk irridu naraw li jekk jista' jkun, inżommu a certain growth li tixtiequ intom.
ONOR. MICHAEL GONZI: Ċertu affarijiet li semmejtu intom ukoll li għandhom x'jaqsmu mal-lokalitajiet, naħseb dan il-kumitat jista’ jirreferi lis-Segretarju Parlamentari li għandu r-responsabbilta' tal-Kunsilli Lokali.
THE CHAIRMAN: Irridu nagħmlu xi ħaġa speċifika.
Ħalli nikkonkludu hawnhekk. Naġġornaw għal nhar it-Tlieta li ġejjin fejn il-laqgħa se tkun mal-Assoċjazzjoni ta' persuni gay u allura se jkollna presentation anke fuq x'inhuma d-domandi tagħhom mis-soċjeta' u allura għaldaqstant naġġorna għal nhar it-Tlieta li ġejjin, għal ħin li għad irid jiġi avżat. Grazzi.
Fit-8.30 p.m. id-diskussjoni fuq dan is-suġġett ġiet konkluża u l-Kumitat aġġorna għal nhar it-Tlieta l-1 ta’ Ġunju 2010.