PRESIDENT DE MARCO RECEIVES MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL DISABILITY COMMISSION

President Guido de Marco on Saturday morning received a group of people with special needs and their helpers, led by the President of the National Disability Commission, Mr. Joe Camilleri and the Chief Executive of the Commission, Mr. Fred Bezzina. This was the first time that people with special needs had access to the President's office. The Palace is now acessible for people with special needs, following the insallation of a lift. This lift will be available to people with special needs whenever they need to visit The Palace.

Mr. Camilleri said that people with special needs now had access to the highest authority in the country, the President, as well as to members of parliament when in the House of Representatives, thus ensuring independence and dignity. He refered to that part of the law for Equal Opportunities, which came into effect on the first of October and said that this law gives people with special needs the legal backing to ensure that their rights are safeguarded.

President de Marco said that one of the measures of a civil society was the actual practice of the principle of equality. He said that equality for people with a disability should not only be preached, but also practised, so that all members of society will go through life with, as much as possible, the same possibilities. He maintained that this law enables society to provide an equal footing for all in all spheres of life