Petition raises barriers faced by people with disabilities

A petition submitted to Parliament has raised concerns over barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing public services and facilities in Malé, Hulhumalé and Villingili.

The petition was filed by the Verso Disabilities Association through Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim. The association provides free services to people with disabilities and has been operating for nine years. It runs two clinics that provide medical care to people with disabilities.

According to the petition, many people registered with the association have signed the submission to highlight difficulties faced by individuals who use wheelchairs and those who cannot walk independently.

The petition states that beach access slipways in Malé, Hulhumalé and Villingili, which were built to allow wheelchair users to access the beach for exercise and rehabilitation, are not being used. It also says that toilets built to be accessible for people with disabilities are not in use.

It notes that the Artificial Beach, Hulhumalé Phase 2 beach and the Villingili beach were reported to the Malé City Council as not being accessible, but no response has been received.

The petition also states that a cement structure built at the entrance of H. Bandosge, where one of the Verso clinics is located, prevents wheelchair users from entering the building.

According to the petition, although wheelchair access points exist at both ends of many streets, vehicles are often parked in a manner that blocks access. It also says that vehicles provided for transporting wheelchair users are not being used by patients.

The association said it repairs and services wheelchairs using batteries and spare parts sourced from overseas, free of charge. However, these repairs are often carried out on the street, with patients seated in their wheelchairs. The petition states that the association has repeatedly requested an appropriate indoor space to conduct repairs, but no facility has been provided.

The petition further says that people with disabilities are not given priority access at public institutions such as hospitals and councils, even when they present disability cards. It states that patients are often required to wait in queues for extended periods, which is not suitable for their condition. The petition says these matters were reported to the relevant authorities, but no response was received.

It also notes that parents of people with disabilities had submitted an earlier petition to Parliament raising similar concerns, but no progress has been made.

The petition, signed by many people with disabilities, calls on the Social Committee of Parliament to take up the matter and submit the concerns to the relevant authorities for action.