People 28/07/2002

The right man for the job

Being chairperson of the National Commission, Persons with Disability, is a hectic 24-hour job, as Mario Schembri Wismayer finds out when Mr Joe Camilleri talks to him about what it is like to be in the hot seat and about the commission’s achievements and aspirations

Mr Joe Camilleri is busy when I walk into the office. As soon as he settles a few pressing matters, we begin to talk. "Furthering accessibility for the disabled is one of our greatest priorities. However there are a number of problems in this regard. Malta is full of old buildings with a historic value and it is difficult to create access in these buildings. Also, Malta is small and crowded and it is difficult to build lavishly; ramps are very space hungry, you see. We tackle problems as they come up. With the laws that came into in force in October 2002, all services and commercial enterprises have to be accessible to everybody. Nobody should be excluded from anything. In fact today a copy of the plans of certain buildings is sent to the commission to be vetted by our team of architects. Buildings can be rejected, accepted or as usually happens, accepted with conditions."

"If any individuals feel discriminated against, they can submit a complaint to our compliance unit which will investigate. When it is recognised that something has to be done, as a commission we are duty-bound to negotiate a deadline. We try to avoid finishing up in court, so we often accept to extend deadlines as this works out faster than waiting for the case to be decided upon by the courts. In spite of this we sometimes do end up in court. For example we have two pending cases. One case is against the main outlet of Eurosport in Birkirkara. These people have a winding ramp that ends up at a locked door. So anybody who manages to toil up the ramp then has to get somebody to go inside and ask for the door to be unlocked. This is a ridiculous state of affairs, considering that this company imports equipment that is used by disabled and elderly people. The second case is against Invicta who produce aids for the disabled."

"We are in the process of changing a whole culture and it is going to take time. It is not easy because, as always, there is resistance to change. But we are making small, encouraging steps forward." I ask whether there has been any general improvement with regards to accessibility. "There is an improvement, but it is slow in coming. It is especially frustrating where measures are actually taken to improve things for the disabled but are rendered inaccessible by the selfishness of the non-disabled." So what is the commission doing to increase access? "The commission does not define access as being only physical. Access to communications is also something we are developing. For example now on PBS there is a daily Maltese sign language news bulletin for the deaf. A lot of car breakdown services offer an SMS number for deaf people to request assistance"

We discuss the new law regarding people with disability: "The ramifications go far beyond accessibility. The main areas are work, education, facilities and services, access, insurance. The aim is to create the least restrictive environment as possible." I ask Mr Camilleri what he thinks about fundraising "I have already had occasion to make a strong and exhaustive statement about this topic: the commission’s stand is that it has nothing against fundraising per se. It can be beneficial for expensive one-offs needed quickly. However, fundraising is immoral if it is used to cover recurring basic needs – it is demeaning. Also, the way by which fundraising is carried out is crucial; human dignity should never be reduced, even to raise money. The end does not justify the means. Dignity should be maintained throughout. This is a delicate issue. Some disability groups are against fundraising. When it comes to giving charity, this should not be seen on any level to be a substitute for ensuring that society becomes more inclusive."

Does fundraising give out the wrong message about disability? "It can. The impression may be given out that people with disability depend on charity. In actual fact people with disability have struck out for independence." I make the point that perhaps people resort to making donations in order to appease their conscience, because they are usually too self-involved to bother. "No. Most people feel a sense of generosity and feel that they can do some good. They want to form part of the feel-good feeling, especially around Christmas. It would be churlish to deny this. People want to share. The Maltese feel this childlike joy and generosity and disabled people value it."

The discussion turns to the pros and cons of inclusive education. "Inclusion comes at a cost, both for the individual and to society. Both need to be prepared for it. Inclusion is the point of departure and the only morally acceptable option. We are not saying that the situation is ideal; for some students a mixture of inclusion and segregation should be worked out. Special schools still have a role to play in preparing teachers how to teach in an inclusive environment, for example."

I ask how Mr Camilleri came to occupy the chairman’s seat on the commission. "I made contact with the commission before I went to Sweden in 1989 to experience life as a disabled person there. On my return I was asked to get involved in some activities. Gradually I became involved on a part-time basis. Dr Lawrence Gonzi kept encouraging me to take on a greater role until in 1994 I was seconded from the University to the chairmanship. The law now stipulates that a disabled person should occupy the chair. Failing that, a parent of a disabled person should occupy the chair. I am concerned about finding a successor fairly soon as this is a very tiring position and I don’t know how long I can go on. This job keeps you going twenty-four hours a day."

The talk turns to lighter pursuits. "I used to love calligraphy but I just don’t have the time for it now. Besides my youngest daughter would have a field day if I brought out the colours. I love classical music and rock, especially that of the sixties and seventies. I like to relax by doing desktop publishing. I love to read biographies and literature. My main concern is my family."