Legal action over lack of access for disabled

The National Commission Persons with Disability has presented two judicial protests over the provision of access facilities to persons with a disability by the Health Ministry and by Bay Street Hotel.

In one of the protests, the Commission is requesting that the Gzira Health Centre be rendered accessible to all, including persons with mobility impairment.

This request was originally made in July 2001.

This centre is still inaccessible because it is situated on the second floor and no lift is installed, the Commission said.

The Commission is requesting the same ministry to install sanitary facilities which will be accessible to all, including persons with a mobility impairment, at the Emergency and Outpatients' Departments at St Luke's Hospital. This request has been ongoing since April, 2000 but the modifications required have not been carried out, it noted.

Furthermore, the Commission is requesting that the Bay Street Hotel - which was constructed after 2000 and therefore, after the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act came into force - provides a number of rooms that are accessible to persons with a mobility impairment.

The Commission urged these two entities to reach an agreement with the Commission so that the works required may be carried out without further delay and consequently the Commission will not be obliged to take further legal action as it is bound to do by law.

The Commission said it is committed to ensure that disabled persons enjoy equal opportunities, principally through the elimination of all discrimination against them on account of their impairments and also by ensuring that the provisions of the law are implemented.