Philosophy
The Social Model of Disability is the basis upon which all the services offered by the Foundation are organised:
Inclusion - Equal Partners emphasizes the importance of providing support within the community by offering support where it is required: at home, at school, etc.
Self-Determination - Equal Partners strives to empower persons with disability and their parents to make their own choices and to speak up for themselves, and thus be in control of their lives. Persons with disabilities and parents have an active participation in the designing of the support programmes.
Working Towards an Inclusive Society - Equal Partners tirelessly advocates for equal rights and equal opportunities. Equal Partners is committed to train its professionals and create awareness amongst the general public.
Our Team
- Mr. Colin Galea
- Ms. Charmaine Agius Ferrante
- Mrs. Louisa Grech
- Ms. Mary Rose Buttigieg
- Dr. Elena Tanti Burlo
- Ms. Claire Micallef Mrs. Loraine Farrugia
Events
No events
About Us
Who is Equal Partners Foundation?
Equal Partners Foundation is a parent-run, non-profit foundation supporting children and adults with disabilities and learning difficulties. This support extends also to the families of the disabled children and adults to provide ongoing help and advice on understanding their challenges and increase value of life.
Following the social model of disability, all our support programmes are individualised and are delivered in the community; in the natural environment where he/she requires support, including in homes, schools, places of work and recreation and the community at large.
It is in these places that one can find our partners receiving support. Equal Partners seeks to support people with disabilities and learning difficulties toward a more independent and meaningful life within an inclusive society.
History of Equal Partners Foundation?
Equal Partners was set up by twelve founder families who in collaboration with a group of professionals in the fields of disability and education sought to establish a Foundation that provides adequate support programmes to persons with disabilities.
At the end of the year 1998, 12 families, each having a child with disability, started to meet in each others' homes in order to share their experiences, including thoughts, therapies, knowledge about disability and plans for the future. During these meetings they were joined by a number of professionals who at the time were providing services to these families' children. Everyone welcomed this collaboration between parents and professionals, especially since the children were benefiting from it. Therefore, an agreement was reached to officially establish a foundation promoting this collaboration and interaction. The Foundation was officially founded in January of 1999 and since then has grown to nearly 300 members.
Mission Statement
To be in partnership with individuals with disabilities, their families, the community and to promote and facilitate informed personal choices and meaningful lives.
Objectives
Build communities that celebrate diversities in our homes, schools, churches, villages, health, play, leisure and work places advocating for equal opportunities and rights.
Why was the name Equal Partners chosen?
At the time that the foundation was set up in 1999, it was felt that it was very important to pass on the message that parents and professionals as well as the person with a disability or learning difficulty would work together in partnership.
This has remained the philosophy of the Foundation and it has shown that getting the parents on board reaps many benefits for the person receiving the service.
Equal Partners Foundation and its members believe in the social model of disability which means that the barriers, negative attitudes and exclusion by society have to be removed to make society more inclusive. Children and adults with disability who have been included throughout their lives are functioning better than their peers who have been in a secluded setting. Their quality of life and their coping skills are better, and they can lead a more independent and meaningful life.
If you agree and would like to support this initiative we offer many ways to do so. Please visit our sponsoring page.
Networking
The Foundation has networks with other similar agencies, such as Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Appogg, Down Syndrome Association and MFOPD (Malta Federation of Persons with Disability). The Foundation liaises with these agencies to provide services or to work hand in hand to promote the inclusion of persions with disability in the community.
Another aspect of collaboration that the Foundation emphasizes is that with state, church and private schools. The Foundation works tirelessly to improve the scholastic life of children with disability. The work includes organising consultation meetings for the parents, Head of School, the class teacher and the LSA. During these meetings, the team helps to develop the childs' individualized education programme (IEP) in the context of the ordinary classroom, as well as, the peer preparation programme, which prepares the classmates for the arrival of a child with disability. The Foundation had taken it upon itself to assist schools to find people who are competent to work as facilitators, and also to give them professional training.
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