The first 100 days of a new Government are always treated as a milestone — an opportunity to look at what has been achieved, what has begun to change and, perhaps most importantly, the direction in which a country is moving.

For me, looking back at the first 100 days of this Labour Government, one principle stands out above all others: “Nothing about us without us.”

It is a phrase deeply rooted in the disability rights movement, but its meaning extends much further. At its heart is a very simple idea: people should have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

That is the kind of inclusion I believe in. Not inclusion that simply speaks about people, but inclusion that listens to them, involves them and gives their lived experiences a place at the table.

Having had the opportunity to contribute throughout the journey that led to this new legislature, I have seen how important those conversations can be. I have also been fortunate to raise issues that matter to me and to know that they are being listened to.

That is why these first 100 days have been particularly meaningful.

One of the most significant steps was Parliament’s unanimous decision to explicitly recognise disability as a protected characteristic within Malta’s Constitution. It may appear, at first glance, to be a change in wording. In reality, it carries a much deeper significance. It places the rights of persons with disabilities where they belong: within the highest law of our country.

There has also been progress towards strengthening personal autonomy. The commencement of the Personal Autonomy reforms represents an important move towards supported decision-making and towards recognising that needing support should never automatically mean losing control over one’s own choices. The Protection of Adults in Situations of Vulnerability framework was also brought into force during this period.

But inclusion is not only about legislation.

It is also about whether people have the means to build their own lives.

The decision to double First-Time Buyer assistance for eligible persons with disabilities to €20,000 is a concrete example of inclusion being translated into action. It recognises that genuine equality is not simply about offering everyone the same opportunities, but about addressing the additional barriers that can prevent people from accessing them in the first place.

Progress is also evident in the continued work to improve Malta’s public infrastructure. Over the past couple of years, it has been encouraging to see greater attention being given to public spaces, safer connections and accessibility, all of which have a direct impact on people’s independence and ability to participate fully in everyday life. The work being carried out forms an important part of that wider effort, helping to create communities that are not only better connected, but increasingly designed with the needs of everyone in mind. Continuing to embed accessibility from the very beginning of projects will be key to building on this progress.

The new three-year agreement strengthening Malta’s assistance-dog service is another example. More than €150,000 will be invested through the agreement, helping to expand a service that, for those who depend on it, can make an enormous difference to independence and participation.

These are different measures, affecting different areas of people’s lives. Yet there is a common thread running through them: dignity, autonomy and opportunity.

And that is where “Nothing about us without us” becomes so important.

We should never reach a point where consultation becomes simply a box to tick. People with lived experience should be present from the beginning — helping to identify problems, challenging assumptions and contributing to solutions.

I believe this Government has demonstrated an important willingness to listen and, crucially, to translate that listening into action.

I am grateful to Prime Minister Robert Abela for the trust he has placed in people who are prepared to speak up, and for creating space for voices and experiences that can contribute to the decisions we make as a country. On a personal level, having the opportunity to contribute to those conversations is something I value enormously.

Of course, celebrating progress does not mean pretending that every barrier has disappeared.

Far from it.

Accessibility still needs to become more consistent. We need to continue strengthening opportunities in education and employment. Independent living must remain a priority. Representation matters, but meaningful participation matters even more. And our understanding of inclusion must continue to evolve alongside the people whose lives are directly affected by the decisions being taken.

But acknowledging what remains to be done should never prevent us from recognising what has already been achieved.

These first 100 days have provided encouraging signs of the direction of travel. They have shown that commitments can become action, and that inclusion can continue moving from the margins of political discussion towards the centre of how we think about our country’s future.

For me, perhaps that is the most important point.

The first 100 days are not the conclusion of a journey. They are one milestone within it.

The challenge now is to build on what has started: to keep listening, keep involving people, keep removing barriers and keep raising our ambitions for what an inclusive Malta can look like.

Because “Nothing about us without us” should never simply be a slogan.

It should be the standard by which we work.

And after these first 100 days, I am proud of the progress we have made, grateful to have been able to contribute in my own way, and optimistic about how much more we can achieve together.