AD calls for increase in disability pension

Alternattiva Demokratika has urged government to increase the disability pension in next Wednesday's Budget.

AD's spokespersons Arnold Cassola and Claire Azzopardi Lane attended the inauguration of a computer lab specifically catering for the needs of persons who are visually impaired or blind, at the premises of the Torball Society for the Blind in Floriana.

Azzopardi Lane, spokesperson on disability issues, said the opportunity given by the Torball society was indispensable.

"People with disabilities such as visual impairments and blindness still have difficulty in accessing full time employment and are dependent on their disability pensions, which amounts to just 55% of the minimum wage," she said.

She went to add that the disability pension must increase.

The computer lab of the society boasts of four computers equipped with the necessary software and hardware required by people who are visually impaired or blind to have access to learning, media and communication.

The computer lab will be open for the use of the members of the Torball Society at no charge and the Torball Society is encouraging anyone who would like to join their society to come forward and make use of their resources.

Azzopardi Lane went on to add that the work done by the Torball Society was indispensable as the purchase of such hardware and software was often beyond their financial means.