Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability - CRPD

29/04/2026

Today marks The International Guide Dog Day, and we spoke to Newsbook Malta about the challenges some assistance dog users still face when accessing public spaces.

The Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) has received more than 20 formal complaints over the past two years regarding assistance dog users being refused access to public spaces, highlighting a persistent barrier to independence for the disabled community.

29/04/2026

Our Commissioner Rhoda Garland, speaking with the Service Dogs Malta Foundation, emphasised that assistance dogs on duty have the right to access all areas of society and cannot be refused entry anywhere.

This applies to restaurants, taxis, hospitals, beaches, and any other space. Denying access to a service dog is not permissible.

27/04/2026

🔒 L-uffiċċju tas-CRPD f’Għawdex se jkun magħluq nhar it-Tlieta fit-28 ta' April, 2026.

Niskużaw ruħna għal kull inkonvenjenza u grazzi tal-koperazzjoni tagħkom.

27/04/2026

Final post in our ❌Myths vs Facts ✅ Assistance Dogs short series.

Another frequent myth is about public access rights for assistance dogs.
In fact, these working dogs are legally permitted in all public spaces in Malta to ensure their handlers are supported and safe.

Thanks for following along.

25/04/2026

❌ Myths vs Facts ✅ Assistance Dogs

Part of our short series.

A common misconception is that it’s okay to interact with assistance dogs while they’re working.

In reality, these dogs are on duty and distractions can create serious risks for persons with disabilities who rely on them.

23/04/2026

This week, CRPD's Disability Equality Trainers Vanessa Cassar, Kevin Attard and Blaine Schembri delivered a Disability Equality Training (DET) session to LESA officers. The session opened with an interactive quiz, followed by a discussion on disability etiquette, with participants actively sharing insights and contributing to a well-received session.

🎯 Over 1,300 people were reached through DET sessions in the first three months of the year, reflecting increased outreach by the CRPD team. These sessions remain central to the work of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (Malta), supporting engagement and awareness across sectors.

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Din il-ġimgħa, it-Trainers tal-Ugwaljanza fid-Diżabilità tas-CRPD, Vanessa Cassar, Kevin Attard u Blaine Schembri, wasslu sessjoni ta’ Disability Equality Training (DET) lill-uffiċjali tal-LESA. Is-sessjoni bdiet bi quiz interattiv, imbagħad kompla b'diskussjoni dwar l-etikett tad-diżabilità, fejn il-parteċipanti ħadu sehem b'mod attiv għal din id-diskussjoni.

🎯 Aktar minn 1,300 persuna ntlaħqu permezz tas-sessjonijiet DET fl-ewwel tliet xhur ta' din is-sena. Dan jirrifletti żieda fl-outreach mit-tim tas-CRPD. Dawn is-sessjonijiet jibqgħu ċentrali għall-ħidma tal-Kummissjoni għad-Drittijiet ta’ Persuni b’Diżabilità (CRPD), billi jagħtu s-sapport u jkunu nvoluti li joħolqu għarfien f’diversi setturi.

23/04/2026

❌ Myths vs Facts ✅ Assistance Dogs

There’s a lot of curiosity - and just as many misconceptions - about assistance dogs (also commonly known as service dogs).

These highly trained dogs play an essential role in supporting people with disabilities, helping them navigate daily life safely and independently.

To help clear up common misunderstandings, we have created a short Myths vs Facts series about assistance dogs. Each post will break down one key misconception at a time, so we can all learn how to interact respectfully and support those who rely on them.

22/04/2026

Yesterday we welcomed a group of educators from Collège Concorde Maurice Dumesnil to our offices as part of their Erasmus+ visit to Malta

During their visit, they met with our DET Manager Christine Mifsud and spoke with different teams across our Birkirkara premises. The visit gave them a chance to see firsthand how we approach inclusion in practice and the initiatives we are currently working on.

Thank you to the group for your interest and time with us 🌍

21/04/2026

🚨 AVVIŻ GĦALL-PUBBLIKU

Is-CRPD ġiet infurmata li xi membri tal-pubbliku qed jirċievu telefonati minn individwi li qed jiddikjaraw b’mod falz li jirrappreżentaw l-uffiċċju tagħna.

Nixtiequ ninfurmawkom li t-telefonati uffiċjali tas-CRPD isiru biss minn dawn in-numri:

📞 22267600
📞 Enforcement: 99758043

Jekk tirċievi xi telefonata minn numri oħra li jiddikjaraw li huma tas-CRPD, jekk jogħġbok oqgħod attent/a u taqsamx l-informazzjoni personali tiegħek.

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🚨 PUBLIC NOTICE

CRPD has been informed that some members of the public are receiving calls from individuals falsely claiming to represent our office.

Please be advised that official CRPD calls are only made from the following numbers:

📞 22267600
📞 Enforcement: 99758043

If you receive any call from other numbers claiming to be CRPD, please treat it with caution and do not share personal information.

Stay vigilant.

18/04/2026

Another Disability Awareness Session - this week with staff from Heritage Malta - delivered by CRPD's DET team Christine Mifsud and Blaine Schembri.

Each session is designed to strengthen awareness of disability rights and promote inclusion in a practical and applied way, both within workplaces and in the wider community.

17/04/2026

Autism Advisory Council

This initiative supports children with invisible disabilities, including autistic children, through sport, helping them build confidence and feel part of the community in a safe and inclusive setting.

Inklużjoni | Julia Farrugia | Malta Football Association - 1900 | AX Foundation | Żurrieq Football Club | Iz-Zurrieq Local Council