36 Gozitan children with disabilities will be benefiting from an intensive course during the next 10 weeks, until September, through an investment of €98,000.
This investment will be co-financed by the Ministry for Inclusion, Volunteering and Consumer Rights through Agenzija Sapport and the Ministry for Gozo and the signing of an agreement with the voluntary association Voice for Inclusion.
It was explained that the age range for the children with different abilities that can benefit from the course is 3 years to 16 years. These children will have a personalised programme to improve their abilities and help them have more opportunities for inclusion in the community.
Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said that the government’s commitment in the disability sector is clear and the joint work that led to this agreement is a testament to this. She emphasised that as seen through this signing, the government is committed to not only improving, but increasing the services for people with disabilities in Gozo.
Minister Clint Camilleri said that “the sector of people with disabilities was, still is and remains in the heart of this government.”
The CEO of Agenzija Sapport Oliver Scicluna said that he programme that Agenzija Sapport is financing together with the Ministry for Gozo is giving the opportunity to Gozitan children to follow an inclusive and varied programme that also meets their needs on an individual level thanks to the various professionals and entities involved in order to deliver this – the intensive programme coordinated by the NGO Voice for Inclusion.
Each participant in the course will have a LSE (Learning Support Educator) on an individual basis and specialised tutors who will see the progress of each student and that everyone will be included in the prepared activities.
The sessions will include:
Scouts
Movement therapy
Robocoach
Young Engineers
Drama, music, ICT sessions
Lifeskills sessions
Singing sessions as a means of communication
Maths lessons through storytelling
Science experiment sessions
The Government said that the funds provided will cover costs related to LSEs and supervisory staff; rental of rooms, including a laboratory, in the secondary school; resources, such as musical instruments; therapists and other persons who will conduct the various sessions mentioned.
This will be the third year that this course will be organised during the summer months.
The signing of the agreement took place in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Gozo John Borg.