Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport

This report focuses on the role of adapted work settings in the international framework provided by the UNCRPD; in particular, special attention has been given to Article 26 and 27, as they both deal with principles, measures and services offered by adapted work settings.
Adapted work settings, commonly known also as sheltered workshops, are not referred to in the UNCRPD. This requires clarifications for the thousands of people that benefit from their services and whose future looks therefore uncertain.
The analysis was carried out starting from three main subjects:
- what the Convention brought in general terms through its paradigm shift and the subsequent challenges for social services
- the analysis of the current text of Article 26 and 27 and the links to the role of sheltered workshop matters
- the history of the discussions around the inclusion of sheltered workshops in the UN CRPD.

Services like sheltered workshops may sometimes and very often fulfill more than one function for persons with disabilities, thus their compliance to the UN CRPD articles is particularly sensitive. In the framework of a holistic approach to persons with disabilities, where disability itself is not the focus of attention, but everything is about the individual and the enjoyment of his rights, it is of utter importance to keep a good balance between the multitude of skills, personal choices, possibilities of individual development and society’s response.    
The report provides a state of play of possible links existing between sheltered workshops and the UN CRPD in order to gain a view on future developments needed in the provision of work opportunities to persons with (intellectual) disabilities.

The full report is available here.

For more information on the report please contact Ms. Sabrina Ferraina at sabrina.ferraina@easpd.eu.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport

Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport – Malta  

The Ministry is responsible for the whole educational system.

Through the Education Division it assures a holistic quality education to all Maltese students within the compulsory school age and beyond, as well as encourages and supports life-long learning. This objective encompasses the development of intellectual, civil, human, ethical, social, emotional and spiritual values and the recognition of fundamental rights and responsibilities.

The Education Division aims also at providing an efficient and effective system of learning in order to ensure quality education and training relevant to the needs of Maltese Society. It also safeguards the right of the individual to develop all cognitive potential, resulting in a secure investment for the continual development of the nation.

Inclusive Education and Special Education

Malta recognizes that inclusive education is a human rights issue. The relative legal framework to support this right is provided by the Education Act 1988 and the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disabilities) Act 2000.

 
It is the Government’s policy to include children with special needs within the mainstream education system. Around 88% of the students with a statement of special educational needs attend mainstream schools. During the last decade an intensive programme to make schools accessible to all students was carried out. Moreover, the service of Learning Support Assistants was introduced to facilitate inclusion and support students with special needs.

A small number of special schools still function. These cater for the more demanding needs of students whose parents consider that their children benefit more by attending such schools. It is estimated that only 0.36% of the total student population attends special schools.

A reform is underway to transform special schools into Education Resource Centres including a Young Adult Education Centre for students with moderate to severe learning disabilities. The aim of this Resource Centre is to facilitate the students’ transition to adult life and to empower them to integrate in the community through employment.

Vocational Education and Training Institutions are also committed to enhance further their inclusive education policy by providing professional support services to students with special needs to follow mainstream courses. Vocational preparation programmes for students with learning disabilities are being developed.
Within the University of Malta, ACCESS – Disability Support Committee, works to ensure full accessibility to all students and provides support services for students with visual, hearing and physical impairments. 

All information about the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is available at:

Casa Leoni 476, St Joseph High Road

Santa Venere STV 101-Malta

Tel ++356 23 88 6189

Fax ++356 7953 8629

Website : http://www.education.gov.mt/   

Contact person for PASS IT ON within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport:  Mr Vincent Borg, vincent.a.borg@gov.mt  

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