National disability policy to be launched 'in a few weeks'

A national disability policy will focus on 'empowering' preople with special needs, Parliamentary Secretary for the disabled Justyne Caruana said.

The policy is expected to be finalised in October.

Caruana was speaking at a ceremony where five people with special needs were presented with certificates after completing computer courses organized by the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility. The certificates were presented by Gozo Minister Anton Refalo.

“Information technology has changed the world, from communication to entertainment,” Caruana said. “Today, people with special needs can easily access the same technology as everyone else.”

Caruana also announced a number of new initiatives aimed at helping people with a disability, including the opening of a Helpdesk in Gozo by the National Commission for People with a Disability. She also said that the first residence in Gozo for people with a disability will be opening ‘in the near future’.