"Children remain a fundamental building-block in our society, and finding a solution that will help them become improved citizens is an important matter. It is the duty of every Government to ensure that citizens are included, active and engaged."

This was stated by Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana when inaugurating the "LUDI Plenary Meeting – Assistive Technologies & Robotics to support the Play of Children with disability" at the Valletta University Campus.

The meeting brought together foreign delegates from the LUDI organisation that includes scientists and researchers worldwide in the field of assistive technologies and robotics for children with disabilities.

Parliamentary Secretary Caruana highlighted the importance of the United Nations Conventions for children and that for the rights of persons with disabilities, both of which reiterate that the very concept of support and assistance is crucial in any equation that concerns the disability sector.

Caruana went on saying that disability is complex and multi-dimensional, and today's meeting reminds us – both as policy-makers and support providers, that we need to be prepared to be open to diverse solutions for diverse situations.

She added that the Government supports continuous efforts to bring robotic-assistive devices into the real world to help individuals with severe disabilities and alleviate the workload of caregivers.

"The ultimate vision aims at helping these persons achieve physical independence without relying on others. You will enable people with disabilities to confidently use technology in their daily lives, not just to survive, but to flourish," Caruana said.

"We need to work hard to ensure that play has a central role in the professionals' interventions and care plans, whether it is a matter of clinical, educational, social or any other solution."

Dr Caruana continued by saying that Malta is part of the international community, and welcomes innovative knowledge from member states within the European Union and beyond. Any cross-border collaboration is supported in the disability sector, "and I sincerely hope that your meeting will entice local stakeholders to seek further knowledge of your novel research results and resources that help one and all to address the needs and challenges ensuring the rights of persons with disability."

Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana gave a general overview of the Government's commitment in this sector, with a specific national policy and strategy, a vast legislative programme, endless physical projects and the creation of a Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

She concluded that her Parliamentary Secretariat remains committed to stay in sync with children's voices, "to ensure we are understanding in what way we would like our communities to develop."

Permalink: Government’s committment for children with disabilities – Justyne Caruana