Camilleri was born on 29th March 1952. He contracted Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of two and a half. Two years later he was correctly diagnosed and treatment began in the UK. On his return to Malta his parent refused to send their son to a special school and eventually he was accepted as a student at Stella Maris College. Despite frequent illness he managed to complete his primary and secondary school years. In 1973 he furthered his studies at the University of Malta and graduated in 1976. Subsequently he completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology. Between 1977-1989 he taught English at secondary level and from 1989-1994 he was employed in Research and Development of distance education packages at the University of Malta’s Centre for distance learning. In 1989 an unexpected invitation to Sweden once again sparked Camilleri’s interest in disability issues. This visit led to his becoming inspired by what is known as the Social Model of Disability. In return this led to a rapidly growing commitment to disability issues. In 1994 he was invited to assume the position of Chairman of the National Commission Persons with Disability, a position he still occupies to this day. Camilleri remains heavily committed to raising public awareness regarding disability issues. He is a member of various committees and boards and organizes a variety of disability-related lectures.
Camilleri is married to Davinia Millar and they have two daughters.