[Lgpolicy-list] [lg policy] Malta: Disability policy says all educators should have basic sign language skills

[Harold Schiffman]

Disability policy says all educators should have basic sign language skills

National policy on the rights of people with a disability launched,
parliamentary secretary describes it as start of a 'new era' of inclusion
for disabled people
 Tim Diacono
3 December 2014, 2:59pm
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36
<http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/47070/disability_policy_says_all_educators_should_have_basic_sign_language_skills#>
   Scicluna presents national policy for rights of disabled people. (Photo
Ray Attard)
   36
<http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/47070/disability_policy_says_all_educators_should_have_basic_sign_language_skills#>
   National policy on rights of disabled people launched • Video Ray Attard
   All educators should have basic sign language skills, according to a new
national policy on the rights of people with a disability.  Among other
initiatives, the policy includes proposals for self-employment schemes,
giving persons with disabilities the chance to avail themselves of
subsidies to start their own businesses.

The policy, which was developed with the input of people with a disability,
also calls for better education and awareness – all Learning Support
Assistants must be trained in impairment-related preparation and all
tertiary education should include a study unit about disability awareness.
Changes to public transport are also proposed in the policy. Transport
should be both physically accessible and outfitted with technology such as
electronic displays and recorded announcements to make traveling easier for
persons with disabilities.

The policy also promotes the education of disabled persons, in
communication skills such as sign language and Braille and other
techniques. Information by government departments and agencies should be
presented in a variety of ways, including braille and visual
representation, as well as using simplified language to make it more
accessible.

A national strategy based on this policy will be launched in the coming
weeks, parliamentary secretary for rights of people with a disability
Justyne Caruana said at the policy’s launch.

“The issues faced by people with disabilities are often invisible,” Caruana
said. “People need to open their eyes to the real issues of poverty,
discrimination and social exclusion that people with a disability face.
This policy represents a new era for people with a disability, as it
promotes more inclusion for them in all aspects of life.”

She cited Budget measures such as the placing of disabled people on certain
government boards and the enforcement of an old law that 2% of the
workforce of companies that employ over 20 people must be people with a
disability. Disabled people will also no longer lose their disability
pension once they find employment.

“The policy is built on the premise of autonomy and dignity for all,”
social solidarity minister Michael Farrugia said. “Everyone has a right to
full equality and we must start thinking from the point that everyone is
disabled in some way.”

Farrugia also announced that some 80 persons with disabilities will be
working in government offices in Gozo.

Oliver Scicluna, chairman of the National Commission for People with a
Disability (KNPD), appealed for people with a disability to be involved in
the drafting of the policy's actual strategy as they were in the drafting
of the policy.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/47070/disability_policy_says_all_educators_should_have_basic_sign_language_skills#.VICAmsm-7IU
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