Greens condemn lack of accessibility experienced by the deaf

Alternattiva Demokratika has condemned the lack of accessibility experienced by the deaf and the hard of hearing community due to missing subtitles on television stations.

“Despite the PL’s electoral manifesto promise back in 2013, such access has not yet been made available. The rights of this minority group, as stated in Article 9 of the United Nations Convention (UNCRPD), ratified by Malta in 2012, which underlines the right to information and communications are thus being infringed,” AD spokesperson on disability and sports, Dr Claire Azzopardi Lane said.

Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party Spokespersoin on Disability Issues and Sports, Dr Claire Azzopardi Lane, said: “

Azzopardi Lane added that the right to access was also underlined by the EU’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive  (2010/13/EU).

The Directive states that ‘the right of persons with a disability and of the elderly to participate and be integrated in the social and cultural life of the Union is inextricably linked to the provision of accessible audiovisual media services. The means to achieve accessibility should include, but need not be limited to, sign language, subtitling, audio-description and easily understandable menu navigation.’ 

“Such persons are being denied the right to participate fully in political life. Such right is also underlined in the UNCPRD in Article 29,” Azzopardi Lane said.

AD said it disagreed with newly appointed parliamentary secretary for the disabled and the elderly, Justyne Caruana, who stated that the sector has been “abandoned”.

“Much more is yet to be done that goes beyond conventional integration. Saying that the sector has been ‘abandoned’ would be disrespectful towards those who, without underlying political motives, have worked to make positive changes in the disability sector. The implementation of an inclusive mainstream schooling system, the ratification of the United Nations Convention and changes in legislations such as the Guardianship Act are examples of good practice.”