OPENING ADDRESS BY H.E. DR EDWARD FENECH ADAMI

PRESIDENT OF MALTA

AT THE ‘SUPPORTED AND INDEPENDENT LIVING’ SEMINAR

 ORGANISED BY THE MALTESE FEDERATION OF ORGANISATIONS PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

ATTARD - SATURDAY 29 MAY 2004

We were all faced with a situation, at one time or another, of wanting to do something but not being able to.  Frustration, anger, disillusion, hopelessness are all sentiments born out of such impasse.  Luckily for some of us this is not a common situation. For others it is the norm.  For others even the most simple of tasks becomes a mission bound to failure.

I used the word “others” twice purposely.  We live in a world of us and the others: us being those in the centre; the “others” being the persons living on the edge.  What you will be discussing today is means of getting some of the “others” closer to the centre.

Over the last four decades great efforts were made to help integrate persons with special needs and people with normal needs.  There is a consistent effort today to render the world around us more accessible and respectful of everybody’s needs. The situation is not and can never be easy.  However, thanks to the advances made, not least in science and information technology, society today is in a better position to offer solutions to disabled persons.

One such solution is the provision of homes offering independent supported living.  Residents of such homes get the support they require with the least amount of intrusion.  The key to success in this field lies in the ability to provide a personalised environment, enough flexibility and privacy to allow for different lifestyles.  In other words a true home and not a house.  I am told that there are over 70 persons living in such homes in Malta today.

The range and scope of services offered today clearly shows the positive shift in attitude.  The web of persons giving their share is growing and as a result disabled persons and their families are finding it relatively easier to live a life we all hope for.  I had the pleasure of inaugurating Residenza Vajrita, of seeing Agenzija Support take off, of overseeing the setting up of the Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Diżabilita`, of seeing non-government initiatives such as Dar tal-Provvidenza, Dar il-Wens, Dar Nazareth, Dar l-Arka in Gozo and Villa Chelsea provide sterling service.  The public sector has over the last years emphasised increasingly its role in providing support services to enable more disabled persons to continue living as much as possible within the community.  Parents of persons with disability filled a gap when they, with the help of the Housing Authority, launched the concept of respite centres in Malta.  More importantly, disabled persons have proved over and over again that, given the opportunity and the necessary support, they can give a positive contribution to our society.  Through their work we are burying the barriers of the past.

Even so, viewed from the outside, what our society managed to do is a small start, perhaps a scratch on the surface.  But for those persons who gained a strong measure of independence what we achieved was monumental.  This is certainly an area where nobody can go it alone.  Removing barriers for disabled persons should be an obligation for everyone of us.

My appeal today is towards those who have the spare resources at hand, be it time, money or expertise, to involve themselves in this noble task.  Certainly here today I am preaching to the converted.  The organisations gathered here today are in the forefront of this challenge.  I augur you more strength and will power to continue in your endeavours.  I also feel it is my duty to thank you for striving to make our world a better place for all.