The Maltese Federation of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (MFOPD) has just published a study that deals with the current situation in our country as it relates to Personal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities.
The study, for which the MFOPD was given help from funds of the Maltese Council for the Voluntary Sector, was carried out by Dr Lara Bezzina who has been working in the field of disability for more than 18 years. The study is in line with the ongoing work on the reform of the Personal Assistance scheme for Persons with Disabilities which is being run by Aġenzija Sapport.
The reform is a measure of the Government’s Electoral Manifesto and about which there is currently a period of public consultation in place. The proposed plan includes the full collaboration of various social partners including the disabled themselves, key professionals and experts from the disability sector, and local and foreign civil society organizations including the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL).
The Minister for Inclusion, Volunteering and Consumer Rights Julia Farrugia Portelli said “The publication of the study has come at an ideal point because it is part of the consultation process that the country is doing on the -reform for Personal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities. Therefore, having research of this type is helpful so that when legislation is being drawn up it is based on facts and also on what the sector wants or is suggesting.”
Oliver Scicluna, CEO of Aġenzija Sapport, expressed his satisfaction with what came out of this study. “The recommendations that came out of this study I see in them convergence with what we are working on as an Agency in the reform of the Personal Assistance scheme for Persons with Disabilities.”
Marthese Mugliette, President of MFOPD, described Personal Assistance as a very important tool for people with disabilities because through it they can live an independent life in the community. The consultation period on the reform launched by the Government closes on the 30th of November. The public is encouraged to send their suggestions by entering the document of the proposed reform which is on the site www.consultation.gov.mt.
Suggestions can be sent via an online form from this site, or via email at pa.reform.sapport.sapport@gov.mt or in writing at the address Aġenzija Sapport, Reforma Personal Assistant, Professional Development Center , Triq il-Harrub, Santa Venera.
