Overcrowding, Lack of Parking Keeping Persons With Disabilities Away From Shore

The Malta Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disability (MFOPD) has raised serious concerns about accessibility barriers at Malta’s beaches during the busy summer season.

With large crowds and high demand for parking, persons with disabilities are increasingly finding it difficult to enjoy a simple day at the seaside.

While not all disabled individuals require designated accessible bays, many depend on nearby parking due to mobility challenges, hidden disabilities, or the need to carry essential equipment.

According to MFOPD, the current lack of available parking near the shoreline is making beach visits unfeasible and discouraging for many families. This situation, they argue, goes beyond mere inconvenience and speaks to a broader issue of exclusion and inequality.

The Federation warns that when people with disabilities are effectively prevented from accessing recreational spaces, it impacts their quality of life and fosters further social isolation. Summer should be a time of inclusion and participation, not frustration and exclusion.

MFOPD is calling on local councils, beach managers, and tourism officials to take immediate action.

They are urging for practical solutions that can make beaches genuinely accessible to all, including better parking management, clearer enforcement of accessible bays, and increased awareness of the needs of disabled beachgoers.

The Federation stressed that access to public and leisure spaces is a basic right, not a privilege reserved for those able to arrive early or walk long distances.

#MaltaDaily