Support service proposed for students with disability

A delegation form the National Commission Persons with Disability yesterday presented its proposals for the next budget to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech.

The proposals include the enactment of legislative measures so that Malta will be in a position to ratify the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability together with its optional Protocol.

It suggests the setting up of a service in close collaboration with MCAST to ensure that persons with disability (including those with an intellectual impairment) will be able to participate with the necessary support in post secondary education.

The commission would also like to see the creation of a fund to ensure that specialised IT equipment needed by disabled students will be provided in all state and non state schools.

Furthermore, it proposes the introduction of a scheme to ensure that persons with disability, especially those leaving the educational system, are helped to find employment. It also wants an increase in the Special Children Allowance for children with disability.