ICT Lab opened with the sapport of Vodafone Foundation
The Vodafone Malta Foundation supported Id-Dar tal-Providenza by donating funds for the opening of a new ICT Laboratory which is giving residents more access to the ICT world. This lab is equipped with assistive technology including touch screens, keyboards and specially designed mice, and software designed to facilitate the use by persons with different intellectual and physical disabilities.
The lab, which was set up under the professional advise of Marica Gatt from the Education Division and Stanley Debono from the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA), ensures that Id-Dar tal-Providenza residents enjoy equal opportunities in the technology field as every other citizen.
“Today, IT has opened new horizons for intellectually and physically disabled persons. With this laboratory, id-Dar tal-Providenza is showing its commitment to offer its residents every possibility to take up all the opportunities offered by the IT world to enhance their education, the knowledge of the world around them, inclusion, friendships and avail themselves of present working opportunities. Some of the residents even require specially designed equipment which is very expensive. The price might not always be justified at times and we urge all those concerned to keep such prices as low as possible. I thank the Vodafone Malta Foundation for making this and past projects possible,” said Fr Martin Micallef, Id-Dar tal-Providenza Director at the inauguration ceremony.
In line with this project, Dar tal-Providenza is also planning so that this project is extended so that residents will also be able to access their computer in their rooms. This project is being supported by the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communication.
"Over the past forty years Id-Dar tal-Providenza has grown beyond recognition. It provides residential care to around 100 disabled people and respite care service to a small number of families, thus helping them to continue to support their disabled family member within their home. To continue providing these services Id-Dar tal-Providenza constantly needs financial support and the Vodafone Malta Foundation is making its contribution to ensure that our society gives our disabled members what they really deserve," said Vodafone Malta Foundation Chairperson, Mrs Gemma Mifsud Bonnici.
Id-Dar tal-Providenza started operating on 12 September 1965, when Monsignor Michael Azzopardi, decided it was time for action. During a live radio programme he became the first person to publicly suggest that a home should be opened to care for those with severe disabilities. This home was needed not only for the benefit of the disabled persons themselves but also for their families.