Malta’s New Commissioner On How She Plans To Battle For Incapacity Rights

Malta has just welcomed its second disability commissioner, Samantha Pace Gasan, 27. Her vision is to revolutionize everyday infrastructure and education to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.

“As Commissioner, my aim is to promote mainstreaming,” Pace Gasan told Lovin Malta on today’s episode of Lovin Daily.

“While it is important that a strong sector fight for the rights of people with disabilities, I want others to include their needs as well, be it through physical infrastructure or information,” she said.

“My vision is accessibility. We live in this globalized world and yet people with disabilities are left behind. We need universal design in all areas of life. ”

When asked about her concerns about the pandemic, she said education was an issue.

“Learning environments in normal times are difficult. Switching to online education is an additional challenge, especially for people with autism who are used to routine. “

Pace Gasan succeeded former Commissioner Oliver Scicluna, who entered parliament this month. At just 27, she made a name for herself through her commitment to better rights for people with disabilities, research, and personal achievement after facing her own struggles with disabilities.

Her sister Naomi, who has Down syndrome, is also no stranger to the activist scene. She spent a day tailing Prime Minister Robert Abela to call for better working conditions for people with disabilities.

When asked about tokenism in the sector, Samantha Pace Gasan said that charities deserve a place in Malta’s society, but doesn’t think the struggle for better rights should slow down in any way.

What do you think of Samantha Pace Gasan’s ideas? Comment below