Għajnsielem Learning Hub to help ‘fully integrate’ disabled people into society

A Learning Hub for people with disabilities has been inaugurated yesterday in Għajnsielem, Gozo by the Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana. 

The project will be offering holistic training programmes for persons with disability, with Caruana saying that it will be done in conjunction with three different governmental entities. 

Among these will be Agenzija Sapport, the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) and the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC). Caruana added that this move marks the first time Agenzija Sapport will be extending its services to Gozo. 

Speaking about the programmes forming part of the Learning Hub, Caruana explained that initiatives which will grant disabled persons further independence are being given priority. 

On their part, ETC will be working on sheltered employment training, which will help persons with disabilities join the workforce. A number of employers have already pledged their participation in this programme. 

Meanwhile, the MCA will be offering services related to digital technology to disabled persons, which help towards teaching them to make better use of the available technology and any assistive equipment they may need to make use of.

The ‘experiment’ this hub seeks to primarily engage in, Caruana said, is to provide a space through which persons with disability can be fully integrated into society, thus assuring an adequate quality of life.

Caruana added that one of the key aspects of her role as Parliamentary Secretary is to ensure that all persons with disability are given equal opportunities on a national scale – both those living in Malta as well as Gozo. She also added that right now, persons with disabilities are being interviewed for 80 different job positions in Gozo.