Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1382687
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 JUNE 2021 OPINION certainly… BUT… Addressing the needs of individuals on the autism spectrum recent years, where the Planning Author- ity – acting, please note, on loophole-rid- den policies drawn up by Robert Abela's own government – simply doubles up as a revolving door for Malta's entire con- struction and development industry… without, it must be said, even bothering to hide the deception any longer. And… what, we are seriously expected to believe that Malta will become a global leader in environmental protection – the 'best in the world', no less – in just 10 years? That we will suddenly manage to not only halt such a rapidly accelerating rate of environmental decline… but actu- ally reverse it altogether… …which reminds me: how do we even plan to do that, anyway? By demolish- ing what we have already built, and 're- storing the area to its original natural state' (which isn't even possible to begin with)…? But that's just an aside. The bottom line is… are we really (really, though) expect- ed to believe that we can not only 'reverse this trend', but actually overtake all other competing nations, to eventually cross the finishing line of the International Grand Prix of Environmental Protection? And in just one decade, too…? I honestly don't know what to say. How stupid does Robert Abela even think we are, anyway? BUT…. and – no offence to those with larger-than-average posteriors – it's 'A BIG BUT'… there is also another dimen- sion to Robert Abela's 'best in the world' remark; one that, perhaps, most of his more vocal critics probably can't even see at all. Let's start with the obvious. There is something… shall we say, 'endearing' about the sheer boyish over-exuberance Robert Abela always displays on such oc- casions. At moments, he reminds me of a schoolboy desperately trying to impress his teacher by becoming 'first in class'. And… well… you wouldn't exactly want to discourage that sort of ambition in a schoolboy, would you now? (I mean… what sort of world would it be, anyway, if little children didn't occasionally dream of becoming astronauts… or emperors… or World Cup Winning Goalscorers… or just 'the best' at anything, really?) And by precisely the same token: Rob- ert Abela's unbridled optimism also hap- pens to chime in with a certain similar yearning, on a much broader level, that can now almost palpably be felt every- where you turn. If nothing else, it comes after around four years of consistent – relentless, almost – international scruti- ny and opprobrium, which… OK, even if deserved, at times… has nonetheless undeniably sucked something out of our national spirit (which, in a bygone era, had earned Malta worldwide accolades 'For Gallantry'). I suppose it's a little like what would actually happen to that schoolboy I men- tioned earlier; if his teacher responded to his aspirations by placing him in the corner with a Dunce's cap, for all the oth- er schoolchildren to jeer at. Let's just say that, people will eventually tire of being consistently told to their faces, for years on end, that… 'You? A little squirt like you will never amount to anything, in the end'… (or, in Malta's specific case: 'You? You're just a Mafia State; the most cor- rupt country in the world', etc., etc.). And this never-ending onslaught has not, by any means, been limited only to politics, or the inevitable fall-out of Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder in 2017. No, we've been plastered all over the world news for all sorts of other, equally dispiriting reasons: mostly involving im- migration, fatal tragedies in our Search and Rescue Area, Moneyval, and so on. And top of it all: in case nobody's noticed, there's also been a pandemic throughout the past year and a half (indeed, so far it has coincided almost perfectly with Rob- ert Abela's entire term as prime minis- ter)… and just like everything else… peo- ple are kind of getting sick and tired of all that, too. Placed in this context – and, of course, viewed only as a purely political gimmick, to add to all the others – suddenly, the idea that Robert Abela would spring up out of nowhere, and brazenly declare (with all the excitement of a 'teacher's pet') that… 'Hey! Why all the glum faces? Don't worry, folks: not only are we going to get through all this darkness, in the end (trust me: we just are)… but… you know what? We're also going to conquer all the known Universe, and become the Masters of Infinity… and Beyond!' I don't know. Even if it remains utterly laughable, as a rational proposition… as a schoolboy dream? As a pitch for 'Toy Story 6'? As a single, discordant note of optimism, in a world that always seems so depressingly inimical…? Maybe it's precisely what most people really want to hear, right now. And who knows? Maybe it's one of the reasons why Robert Abela, in spite of everything, still remains so far ahead in the polls… ON a day-to-day basis we communicate with individuals who have different abili- ties and capabilities from us, either due to a different upbringing or background but al- so possibly because of conditions that may change their perspective and the way they look at the world. One such example is au- tism, which refers to a broad range of con- ditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication. It is esti- mated that over 5 million people in the Eu- ropean Union are on the autism spectrum. Sadly, to this day, most of these individ- uals are often subject to stigma and dis- crimination, including unjust deprivation of health care, education, employment opportunities and equal participation in society. People with autism have different needs but everyone should be accepted and valued in our society, and this can only be achieved by respecting, protect- ing and fulfilling all basic rights and fun- damental freedoms. Recently, the Eu- ropean Commission published the New Disability Strategy, which aims to im- prove the lives of persons with disabil- ities in a barrier-free Europe and to pro- mote social and eco- nomic equality and participation of persons with disabilities in society, free from discrimination and in full respect of their rights on equal basis with others. Yet, the Strategy lacks a specific focus on people with autism and this may result in us losing sight of the challenges that these people face. While other conditions and specific needs were addressed clearly, this same attention and level of detail was not given to those on the autism spectrum. In certain cases, unless it is severe, we may be unaware that a person falls on the spec- trum as the condition may not manifest itself in a physical manner but at the same time these individuals also have needs that we should address right away. It is our duty to promote inclusive educa- tion and equal access to vocational train- ing and lifelong learning opportunities. Autism may be an unfamiliar condition to those who may not be accustomed to com- municating with autistic people, but with inclusive education, this unfamiliarity can be addressed and a better understanding of how to interact with one another can be achieved. Crucially support must also be provided in the form of reasonable accommodation for individuals on the spectrum who wish- es to continue studying and recognising that this step may also lead to better access to employment. At the same time, training must be provided to employers to highlight the potential of autistic workers in numer- ous sectors, where differences can be turned into potential and possibilities. As MEPs and de- cision makers, we must also adopt binding legislation for reasonable ac- commodation in employment ad- dressing the needs of autistic workers and provide pro- tection under legal frameworks cover- ing social security, working conditions, minimum wages and non-discrimina- tion in institutions. No strategy will be complete if we do not make sure that mutual recognition of the disability status between EU Member States exists which allows autistic people to enjoy their right to work abroad. The European Disability Card will be a very important instrument to help persons with disabilities to exercise their right to free movement in a barri- er-free Europe and therefore it should be mandatory in all Member States. Ultimately it depends on all of us to play our part to ensure that individuals on the autism spectrum are treated with the dignity they deserve and given all tools required to succeed. By looking at each other's potential, rather than those aspects which make us different, we will be on our way in achieving a fairer and more equal society for all. Alex Agius Saliba Alex Agius Saliba is a Labour MEP (S&D) Autism may be an unfamiliar condition to those who may not be accustomed to communicating with autistic people, but with inclusive education, this unfamiliarity can be addressed and a better understanding of how to interact with one another can be achieved