9.10 Limited knowledge of service delivery staff There is limited knowledge of disability related issues among government staff. The common perception is that disability is a specialist topic requiring expert knowledge. However, making services more accessible to persons with disabilities is simple and require caring, kindness and flexible approaches by staff. Training for staff must focus on increasing confidence, while also addressing the basics of disability as a rights issue. The social service workers and counsellors working in the Family and Children Services Centres have received only basic training on disability. These staff members are aware about issues faced by children with disabilities and have to reach out to vulnerable children while doing their case work. Most of the social workers need more training to be able to effectively tackle the issues faced. 9.11 Limited access on transport There are many barriers that prevent persons with disabilities getting from place to place. Living an ordinary life means being able to get from place to place, whether it’s from home to school or work, to friends’ places, to social events. The roads, pavements, road signs and traffic lights are not designed to be friendly for persons with disabilities. The passenger dhonis and with disabilities. It is lamentable that wheelchair access is not possible even on ferry services between Male’ and the airport and between Male’ and Vilingilli. The benefits of improving the accessibility of public transport will not only be of benefit to persons with disabilities but also will be of immense benefit to people with temporary injuries or illness, parents with children and buggies, people carrying groceries, the elderly, and people who are getting frailer. An approach to transport design that is comprehensive and takes into account how transport and the built environment connect and work together would address some of these accessibility issues. 9.12 Limited access to premises Limited access to premises that provide services to persons with disabilities is a major service gap. There is an urgent need to make premises such as homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES speed boats do not have any special seating or built in accessibility considerations for persons ... 69