€ 15,000 will be invested in the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation
The Ministry for Inclusion, Social Welfare and Voluntary Organizations has allocated € 15,000 for the purchase and training of guide dogs for the Malta Guide Dog Foundation.
Former doctor David Debattista, who now suffers from vision problems, said a guide dog named Didi helped him live his life after his problems arose. “Didi has helped me to continue working, traveling and living my life more fully and independently,” said Debattista.
Didi was bought by the Maltese government from abroad and sent to the Malta Guide Dog Foundation for training, said the Minister for Inclusion Julia Farrugia Portelli.
Debattista said it is important to continue to spread the knowledge and understanding about the work of guide dogs and the freedom they provide to a visually impaired person. He added that it is important to recognize the government’s investment in guide dogs, as they provide freedom, accessibility, joy and love. “Didi was trained to avoid obstacles, obedience and recognize the danger to the person being guided.”
Farrugia Portelli said that through this investment, the government is achieving objective 10 of the National Strategy for Persons with Disabilities and Article 27 of the UN CRPD, which is providing assistance to more people with disabilities. disability to be able to live independently and integrate into the community.
Malta Guide Dogs Foundation Chairman Joe Stafrace said that the foundation largely helps and supports the visually impaired by providing mobility services as well as guide dog services.