A number of people with disabilities took part in a discussion with the Minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life Julia Farrugia Portelli and with the wife of the Prime Minister Dr Lydia Abela. This meeting took place at the Support Agency’s Day Center in Fleur-de-Lys as part of the celebrations of the week dedicated to people with disabilities.
Participants, all beneficiaries of the daytime services offered by the Support Agency, had the opportunity to discuss their day at the Day Center, about the activities that most affecting them and their progress over the period they have been attending. They also talked about how the closure of the service during the time of Covid-19 had an impact on them. Those present also had the chance to ask questions themselves in order to get to know Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli and Dr Lydia Abela more closely, also about some plans they have for the disability sector. Minister Farrugia Portelli and Dr Abela also visited sections of the Day Center to follow the programs delivered by this Center.
Minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life Julia Farrugia Portelli described the experience as unique. She said that, although the week dedicated to people with disabilities is celebrated only once a year, such an experience makes you better understand how much we need to live our friendship with these people on a daily basis. “It was a wonderful experience that, through an open discussion with the Prime Minister’s wife, several people who attended this center got to know more about us and our work through the questions they asked us. I enjoyed listening to the wishes and ideas of each and every one of them. I look forward to continuing to showcase the diverse skills and abilities of these people and work harder for inclusion, “said Minister Farrugia Portelli.
The wife of the Prime Minister Dr Lydia Abela began by thanking people with disabilities who attend the Fleur-de-Lys day center for welcoming her, where she was given the opportunity to meet them and share experiences together. In an open discussion, they talked about what they do in the routine of daily life, where they also shared their aspirations for the future.
Dr. Abela highly praised the work done with dedication by all the staff of the Support Agency, where with various services the priority is to bring out the ability of people with disabilities. Dr Abela urged that as a society we do our part not to look at disability, but to look at ability – with the ultimate goal of including everyone in society in the same way.
Ms. Ruth Rose Sciberras, Chief Executive of the Agency, thanked all the participants who accepted the invitation to this activity and who took an active part in making it an interactive session. She recalled that the Agency works fully throughout the year to increasingly develop inclusive services and programs according to the needs of people with disabilities regardless of their disability. Ms Sciberras also referred to the theme chosen for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities this year, that not all disabilities are visible. This is an important point that society must believe in and understand in order to ensure that we are an inclusive, equal society that looks at the abilities of the individual.
Aġenzija Sapport offers daytime services to more than 450 people with disabilities from 11 centers in Malta and Gozo, among various other services and schemes. For more information about the Agency and the services it offers, one can call freephone 153, visit the website www.sapport.gov.mt or follow the Agency’s social media.
