A petition has been submitted to the parliament seeking solutions to the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

The petition was submitted by Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) on behalf of more than 100 people registered in the government welfare scheme.

The key points included in the petition

• Beach accessible slipways for swimming exercises are in unusable condition
• Disability wheelchair accessible restrooms are in unusable condition
• Unable to access ramps due to design
• Unable to safely use a wheelchair on pavements
• HDC has not provided adequate space for free medical and free wheelchair repairs
• Many government and other service providers do not give priority to patients with disability cards
• Unable to meet the Minister of Social Development, the President of the Maldives Disability Council and the CEO of NSPA

There are 14,412 people registered in the disability register maintained by the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

A financial assistance program for people with disabilities was introduced in 2011 with a monthly allowance of MVR 2,000. The amount was increased to MVR 3000 during the Solih administration.