At the Sonia Tanti Independent Living Centre in Ħal-Far, Victoria Grech demonstrates the use of the centre’s state-of-the-art driving simulator.

Attached to the steering wheel is a small knob containing all the car’s secondary controls, such as the horn and indicators, which allows her to drive without ever having to remove her hand from the steering wheel.

For Ms Grech, who has a disability which prevents her from using one of her hands, that small modification has made all the difference.

“When I started learning how to drive, I couldn’t manage, as I had to take my hand off the steering wheel to operate the indicators,” she says.

“I was very disheartened before I knew this sort of help existed. The centre’s been a ray of light. It gives me a lot more independence – I can go shopping on my own or pick my daughter up from school.”

The driving simulator, which can realistically recreate various road scenarios and accommodate innovative modifications catering to a range of disabilities, has helped countless people get behind the wheel and regain their independence.

Often people don’t realise that these things exist

“People think if you have a disability, there’s a lot that you just can’t do,” says Ms Grech. “But today there are a lot of ways to become more independent in your daily life.”

The Independent Living Centre, the first of its kind in Malta, forms part of the work of the National Commission for Persons with a Disability (KNPD) and first opened its doors in 2011.

Its work is supported by a team of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and driving instructors – the centre is officially licensed as a motoring school – and makes some 200 new assessments every year, apart from repeat visitors.

Antoinette Powell, the Independent Living Cenre’s principal occupational therapist

“We want to make the point that even if you are disabled, you can work and live in your own house – all it takes is a little help,” says principal occupational therapist Antoinette Powell.

Apart from driving, a large part of the centre’s work is helping people with a disability and their carers to receive advice, try out and obtain assistive equipment suited to their needs. “The goal is to help people to be as independent as possible when preparing food at home, in the office, in the bathroom,” says Ms Powell.

Among the implements on display at the centre are a ‘talking microwave’ for the visually-impaired, height-adjustable cupboards and surfaces for those in a wheelchair, one-handed computer devices and kitchen equipment and accessible bathroom features.

“Often people don’t realise that these things exist, but they can make a huge difference in their lives,” says Ms Powell.

“Sometimes you have people walk in and we don’t even need to discuss anything; just seeing everything is enough.”

The final facet of the centre’s work is helping people find wheelchairs and seating suitable to their specific circumstances, with advice from professionals, contacts with manufacturers and a wide range on display.

“When I first bought a wheelchair, I was acting blind,” says Christian Camilleri, one of those who has benefited from the advice.

“Shop owners sometimes don’t have the full medical background they’d need to advise you.”

Mr Camilleri says his new wheelchair helps him to sit more comfortably and for longer periods of time.

“If you have an eight-hour work day you have to be comfortable, especially because people like me can’t move too much.”

Mr Camilleri adds that even though a lot of information for people with disabilities is available online, being able to try things out and receive advice in person is extremely valuable.

“In the future, I hope to have the opportunity to live on my own, so it’s good to know that when the time comes I’ll have the support of professionals to help me make the right choices without wasting money on things that aren’t well adapted to my needs.”