Every 3rd of December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated worldwide. To mark the Day, the NSO is presenting a set of statistics from various sources, including the ‘National Commission Persons with Disability’ (KNPD) and the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC).

In 2007, data show that 10,291 persons were registered as having a disability. Of these, 54 per cent were males. Disabilities were most prevalent among males aged 55-69. In respect of females, disabilities were most prevalent in older age groups, namely 75 and over. Overall, 27 per cent of persons registered with a disability were in the 75+ age bracket.

Of registered disabilities in 2007, 6,556 were physical while 2,052 were intellectual. Sixty per cent of physical disabilities were registered among persons aged 60+, while nearly 35 per cent were registered among persons in the 17-59 age bracket. Visual and hearing disabilities were most prevalent among 60+ persons. With regard to intellectual disabilities, nearly 59 per cent were registered among persons aged 17-59.

Holders of a special identity card totalled 9,038 as at end 2007 while new applications for this facility numbered 1,041, the absolute majority of which were accepted. The blue sticker enables individuals with disabilities to park their cars in reserved spaces in public carparks.

As at the end of the year under review, there were 5,267 blue-sticker holders and 982 new applications, of which over 700 were recommended. Also in 2007, there were 301 applications for exemption from car registration tax and 191 applications for exemption from road licence payment.

According to the Census of Population and Housing carried out in 2005, 23,848 persons were returned as having a long-term disability. The question on literacy status was addressed to persons aged 10 and over. Nearly one-fourth of persons with disabilities and in the 10+ age bracket said they were illiterate. The majority of these had a physical impairment (28 per cent), while a further 22 per cent had more than one type of impairment.

One-fifth of the 319 persons with a disability who were on the unemployment register of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) were women. The total figure shows a decrease of 8 per cent over 2006.

Government expenditure figures on disability and health-related issues stood at €46.8 million, and made up 8 per cent of total Government expenditure on benefits. This shows a decrease over 2006, where this type of expenditure made up nearly 9 per cent of the total expenditure on benefits.