430 persons with disability are benefiting from the ESF project Me2! Integration of persons with disability into the labour market. This project is being coordinated by Agenzija Sapport, within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, in collaboration with the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) and the National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD).
Ms. Sina Bugeja, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Social Welfare Services, in her opening address during a conference held this morning said that thanks to the Me2! Project, persons with disability finding themselves in a disadvantaged position in the labour market, are receiving the necessary support to develop their skills and find employment suitable for their needs. Ms. Bugeja emphasised that all this helps persons with disability improve their quality of life and standard of living, thus they would be more independent and included in society. She also mentioned that a number of Gozitan persons with disability are benefiting from the project, a very positive aspect showing that persons with disability from Gozo are also having the chance of being socially included.
During her opening address the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, said that Me2 is a very valid project that builds upon what has been achieved so far in this area of high priority. Minister Debono highlighted important initiatives taken along the years which have been instrumental in furnishing improved services within the disability sector in Gozo. The establishment of the Gozo Federation of Persons with Disability, continued collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disability, the Special Unit at Sannat primary School and collaboration with the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Arts and Crafts have resulted in positive developments in this sector. The inauguration of the Santa Marta day care centre in Victoria also led to a considerable improvement in services and the environment in which they are offered and the establishment of a one-stop-shop that caters for all the needs of disabled persons and their families.
The Me2! project offers support to persons with disability to find employment. Persons with disability are assessed in order to identify their skills and competences, thus assisting them to be in a better position to find a suitable and respective employment. This is done at par with helping them to develop their potential. The main aim of this conference was to provide an opportunity for persons with disability benefiting from Me2! to discuss various issues with the local stakeholders. Various project participants shared their experiences, explained the challenges they went through, and how they benefited from the project.
The project was launched in June 2009 and since then, 430 persons with disability have benefited from it. 8 persons have found full-time employment, 31 persons are receiving support in order to maintain their current employment, while another 21 persons with disability are being trained to obtain new skills, thanks to educational institutions outside the Me2 project, such as MCAST. There were also 67 persons with disability doing job exposure in different work places, and another 10 project participants with 10 support workers shared a working experience in Bristol. Currently preparations are also being made to set up a cooperative, by persons with disability who are benefiting from the project.
Agenzija Sedqa (www.sedqa.gov.mt [1]) and Agenzija Appogg (www.appogg.gov.mt [2]) form part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, which also incorporates Agenzija Sapport (www.sapport.gov.mt [3]).