IT lessons will begin to be offered for free by local councils around Malta and Gozo. This follows an agreement signed today between the Foundation for Information Technology and Accessibility (FITA) and the Local Councils Association, presided by the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti and the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli.
Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti stated that, “We want the elderly, vulnerable persons and persons with disabilities to be more independent and have a better quality of life within our communities. This agreement will lead to these persons being trained so that they can make good use of the technological means that we find today.” He continued that through FITA, which has been working for many years to deliver IT training to those who need it most, they continue to convey the values of inclusivity.
Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli stated that this project is another example of the contribution that local councils make in improving the quality of life of residents. “Through knowledge and training on digitalisation, elderly persons and disabled persons will learn to use a tool through which they will be more independent by participating and communicating in a virtual way, amongst other things,” explained the parliamentary secretary.
The CEO of FITA, Carlo Stivala spoke about the services they have been offering for vulnerable and disabled people over the past years. “The services being offered by FITA are increasingly being used by vulnerable or disabled people so that they are more familiar with technology and use it to improve their quality of life. Through this agreement we are decentralising our services, as instead of them coming to visit us, we go to the local councils in Malta and Gozo and give the necessary IT training,” concluded Mr Stivala.
The President of the Local Councils Association, Mario Fava stated that this agreement will lead to more entrusted work within the local councils. “We want to bring more people to local councils, so they know all the services that are being offered to improve people’s quality of life, in this case of vulnerable people such as the elderly, and people with disabilities,” stated Mr Fava. He concluded that the training offered by FITA will lead to more independence of vulnerable and disabled people so that they can continue to live an active life in their homes and communities.
