Following a number of incidents involving blind persons using guide dogs and being denied access to public transport and catering establishments, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party put forward its proposals.
Dr Claire Azzopardi Lane, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson on Disability and Spots, said: ‘Guide dogs are an important mobility tool for blind persons and denying access is illegal. Reports of guide dog users being denied access to public transport and restaurants is unacceptable. From information gathered it results that Transport Malta is taking all the necessary action needed to address this situation. Whilst praising Transport Malta for its prompt action, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party calls upon the government to give this issue its deserved importance during the public transport tendering process. Apart from having drivers well informed about their responsibilities in question, AD suggests that a clause should be included in the contract where not only will the service provider be obliged to cater for these persons’ needs but will also be penalized following any infringements.”
Simon Galea, Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on Animal Welfare and Agriculture, added: “AD also calls upon the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association to take note of reported incidents concerning some of its members. Although these are isolated cases it is important for these incidents not to repeat themselves. Hence we call upon MHRA to inform its members of their legal obligations accordingly. AD strongly believes in the right of each and every person for independent living. Guide dogs are very important tools in this regard and it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to facilitate such use.’
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Wara numru ta’ inċidenti li jinvolvu persuni nieqsa mid-dawl li jużaw il-klieb gwida u li ġew imċaħħda aċċess għal trasport pubbliku u għal lukandi jew ristoranti, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party ippreżentat il-proposti tagħha.
Dr Claire Azzopardi Lane, il-Kelliema ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika dwar Diżabilita` u Sport, qalet: ‘Il-klieb gwida huma għodda meħtieġa biex persuni nieqsa mid-dawl jkunu jistgħu jmorru minn post għal ieħor. Li ma tħallihomx jidħlu bihom f’ċerti postijiet huwa illegali. Huwa inaċċettabbli li dawk li jużaw dawn il-klieb gwida ma jitħallewx jużaw trasport pubbliku jew ristoranti. Minn informazzjoni li għandna jidher li Transport Malta qed tieħu l-passi neċessarji biex tindirizza s-sitwazzjoni. Filwaqt li faħħret lil Transport Malta talli qed tiehu azzjoni, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party tħeġġeġ lill-Gvern biex jagħti lil din il-kwistjoni l-importanza li jixirqilha waqt il-proċess tat-tenders tat-trasport pubbliku. Apparti li jeħtieġ li x-xufiera jkunu infurmati dwar ir-responsabbiltajiet tagħhom, AD tissuġġerixxi li għandu jkun hemm klawsola fil-kuntratt fejn min ikun qed jipprovdi s-servizz mhux biss ikun obbligat li jaqdi lil dawn il-persuni imma wkoll li jkun ippenalizzat jekk ma jimxix mar-regoli”.
Simon Galea, il-kelliem ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika dwar il-Ħarsien tal-Annimali u l-Agrikoltura, żied jgdħid: “AD issejjaħ ukoll lill-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Lukandi u r-Ristoranti biex tieħu nota ta’ inċidenti li gew rrapurtati li jikkonċernaw lil uħud mill-membri tagħha. Għalkemm dawn huma każi iżolati, huwa importanti li inċidenti bħal dawn ma jerġgħux jirrepetu ruħhom. Għalhekk aħna inħeġġu lill-MHRA biex tinforma lill-membri tagħha dwar l-obbligi legali tagħhom. AD temmen fid-dritt ta’ kull persuna li tkun tista’ tgħix ħajja indipendenti. Il-klieb gwida huma importanti ħafna f’dan ir-rigward u hija r-responsabbilta` ta’ kull wieħed u waħda minna li nagħmlulhom dan possibbli kemm jista’ jkun.”
