Challenging disability discrimination and practicing disability studies in Malta

Abstract

I would like to lay out some contentious points by sharing part of a narrative from my monograph Career guidance for persons with disability (2008) which to me illustrates the complex debate around voice, engagement and positioning – all necessary ingredients in the discussion encapsulating disability studies; of ramps and revolving doors after sixth form, I wanted to go to University to study Physics and Computer science. I knew that the place was physically not very accessible, and thus the summer before the commencement of the academic year, we went to meet the people responsible to see what arrangements needed to take place. This exercise proved to be very useful. In fact, I was given a power wheelchair because the ramps were too steep to cope with due to the limitations imposed by the infrastructure. we made sure that I had access to whatever I needed for my academic work. the apparatus I required was transferred from a laboratory in an upper floor to another one in ground floor. My father, for the umpteenth time throughout my school years, made another desk, which was accessible and comfortable for me. lecturers made themselves available to help me sort out any problems I might have encountered.