Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541747
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 3 DECEMBER 2025 OPINION Inclusion is not charity. It is fairness Rosa Estaràs Ferragut & David Case IS living with dignity and inde- pendence a privilege or a right? IMAGINE knocking on door af- ter door in search of a job, only to be turned away; not because you're unqualified, but because you live with a disability. Im- agine needing to visit a doctor, get to class, or take the bus to work, only to find that these ba- sic services are built for everyone but you. For millions of persons with disabilities across the Euro- pean Union, this is not imagina- tion, it is daily reality. Far too many persons with disabilities continue to be left behind from decent work, from public life, from the very services meant to support and protect all citizens. Access to quality work re- mains one of the biggest hur- dles for persons with disabili- ties in the EU. Shockingly, only 47.4% of young persons with disabilities are employed—a staggering 20-point gap com- pared to their non-disabled peers. This isn't just a statistic. It's the difference between in- clusion and isolation, between independence and poverty. In fact, over 28% of persons with disabilities live at risk of poverty or social exclusion. That's not just unacceptable, it's avoidable. Employment is more than a pay check. It's dig- nity, autonomy, and the ability to fully belong in society. And yet, the challenges do not end here. Healthcare re- mains out of reach for many. Opportunities for higher ed- ucation and skills training are still scarce. Accessible, afforda- ble housing is painfully lacking across the EU. Current trans- port laws, while improved, still fall short, making travel a con- stant battle. And for women with disabili- ties, these challenges are com- pounded. They face multiple layers of discrimination—high- er unemployment, lower pay, alarming rates of violence, and additional challenges in access- ing healthcare. The EU, and each one of us, needs to do more, and to do it better! The path forward demands bold and concrete steps. It is urgent to close the employment gap by ensuring easier access to jobs through targeted support programmes, including tailored training, and by enforcing reasonable work- place accommodations. Per- sons with disabilities must be guaranteed accessible health- care, education, and housing through updated laws and ad- equate funding for inclusive services that meet real needs. Transport policies must be ur- gently revised to eliminate the remaining barriers and ensure true mobility for all. These are the pillars of full integration and true independence. Moreover, reducing the risk of poverty requires social pro- tection systems that are in- clusive and responsive to the needs of persons with disabil- ities. Gender-specific discrim- ination must also be tackled head-on with dedicated re- sources aimed at protecting and empowering women with disabilities. Inclusion is fairness, not charity. The EPP Group stands committed to turning these aims into action with concrete policies and strong political will. The time to act is now—for dignity, for equality, for a fu- ture where no one is left out. Because belonging is not a privilege—it is a right. Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Rapporteur of EU strategy for rights of persons with disabilities. David Casa, head PN delegation in the EP The time to act is now—for dignity, for equality, for a future where no one is left out. Because belonging is not a privilege—it is a right Christmas comedy for all the family TEATRU Manoel TOI TOI, the National Theatre Learning & Participation Programme, is celebrating its fifteenth sea- son of events with a focus on storytelling through puppetry, music and movement. Shortlisted for Best Artistic Programme for six seasons, the team are gearing up for another sell-out show. Known for both the quality of their accessible work and the fam- ily-friendly ticket prices, TOI TOI productions offer parents the chance to enjoy live par- ticipatory theatre and music making together with their children in a relaxed environ- ment. This year, TOI TOI are rein- troducing audiences to three sassy, won't-take-no-for-an- answer audition candidates. The stars of the show each have a unique performance skill, helpfully highlighted by their names, Carol Żfin, Carol Drammatiku and Carol Kan- zunetta, all on a mission to be centre stage whenever possi- ble. This C h r i s t m a s comedy is written and directed by TOI TOI C o l l e c t i v e D i r e c t o r Petra Sant, and stars e x p e r i - enced stage performers Kyra Lau- tier, Kel- ly Peplow and Emma Chetcuti. TOI TOI Manager, Kate Fenech Field, the producer responsible for the theatre's educational output explains, "As many teachers and par- ents know, apart from having a giggle and a singalong, there are many positive benefits to experiencing a live theatre production. Over the past five years, our strategy to commis- sion and produce work which we then repeat bi-annually has been a game changer". "We have made it our m i s s i o n to build a s t e a l t h i l y e d u c a t i o n - al reper- toire and no more so than with our hit comedy Carols at C h r i s t m a s . L e a r n i n g about rejec- tion, determination, traditions and teamwork paired with the inevitable seasonal sing- along songs has proved to be a winning combination," said Fenech Field. Carols at Christmas runs from 13 to 20 December at Te- atru Manoel Studio Theatre. Booking from teatrumanoel. mt or from Teatru Manoel's Booking Office. Carols at Christmas runs from 13 to 20 December at Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre