The Gozitan organisation Voice for Inclusion Gozo has benefited from help with physical equipment as well as higher funding for a summer school for people with disabilities.

This was made possible through support from the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector announced Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli during a visit she made to the Sannat Special Unit, in Gozo.

For the third year, an agreement was signed between Agenzija Sapport, the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, the Foundation for Educational Services and Voice for Inclusion Gozo to run the Summer Intensive Course with an investment of €160,000. This has enabled 67 students with disabilities to benefit from the course, an increase of 17 students over last year, the Minister said.

These sessions are being held over a period of 10 weeks, and include training in mathematics through storytelling, drama sessions, ICT, cooking and working with clay. Each participant has an LSE on an individual basis and specialised tutors who see the progress of each student and that everyone is included in the prepared activities.

In addition, through a project from the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS) funded by the Maltese Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS), the Ministry said that equipment was purchased for physical training for people with disabilities, together with a number of instruments from the Small Initiatives Scheme (SIS), some of which can be operated with the movement of the eyes. This equipment will be able to be used by Gozitan students, both during and after school hours.

With the implementation of this project, the Ministry said that Voice for Inclusion Gozo, with the help of the Sannat Special Unit who will host this equipment, will not only be in a position to provide a much needed service to the community Gozitan of children with special needs, but they will also help the staff of the Special Unit in Sannat primary school through training so they can provide a more comprehensive service to these children.

Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli explained how these two projects will continue to help Gozitan disabled people reach their potential.

“As a Government we have the obligation to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. By supporting Voice For Inclusion Gozo in their mission to empower people with disabilities, we are helping to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their ability, have access to services that offer support and help. These projects are a significant step forward towards fostering both physical and educational development for people with disabilities. We believe that this investment will have a strong impact on their independence,” concluded the Minister.

CEO of MCVS Mauro Pace Parascandolo said, “it is a pleasure to continue to see, year after year, the VOPS scheme being operated and increasing. The competition is a very good one and this continues to strengthen our hearts so that we continue to work more and more for the good of the sector, which ultimately translates into good for society.”

Pauliana Said, Chairperson of Voice for Inclusion Gozo, praised the Government for its efforts to provide specialised services to children with disabilities in Gozo.

She emphasised that this investment is not only making an important difference in the personal and educational development of these children, but is also giving essential support to their families.

Said added that “this commitment shows how vital it is that these children are given the necessary opportunities to reach their potential in an environment that supports and encourages them.”

Photo: DOI

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