NGOs merger benefits people with disability

Inspire, the foundation for inclusion, which has seen Eden Foundation and Razzett tal-Ħbiberija join forces, is already enjoying the "tangible benefits" of the move, according to its CEO, Nathan Farrugia.

The consolidation of services and employees meant users were benefitting from the full complement of services and could tap into all aspects of a programme, from the educational to the recreational, therapeutic and social, he said during an open day at the two premises.

"Before, they would have to go somewhere else and the programmes could be disjointed. Besides a more multidisciplinary approach, any fragmentation has also been removed and even parents have a single point of reference."

The amalgamation of the two organisations meant that assessments and goal planning were no longer separate and any contradictions in the approach to an individual were eradicated, Mr Farrugia said.

"Although we are already seeing the benefits, this is just the starting point. We plan to enhance services and provide more; to have a better progression through age in the programmes.

"The idea is to have a greater impact on society and work more in the community. There are still serious gaps in society for persons with disability," Mr Farrugia said.

Inspire aims to maximise potential and qualified experts were giving dedicated, individual attention to Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and autistic children in a positive environment.

Their mothers were having coffee and sharing their problems, children's conditions and tips in another room during the open day.

Some 17 autistic children are on the waiting list for Inspire's programme.

"It is extremely sad because the younger we can reach them, the more we can affect their lives. We would need more staff and more space to accommodate them," programmes manager Doreen Mercieca said.

Joining organisations meant more access to services at Razzett and more liaison between the two, she said.