The proposals made by the Equal partners Foundations with regards to education for post -16 students with intellectual impairment are sensible and address a clear vacuum in this sector which urgently needs to be filled. Dr. Harry Vassallo, chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika , was reacting to the pre- budget proposals made by Equal Partners Foundation which were announced recently.

Dr. Vassallo praised the proposals formulated as an action plan put forward by the Foundation to address this area. "Such an initiative by an NGO is a very positive development which shows a mature perspective to addressing the issue," continued Dr. Vassallo. He appealed to the Government to seriously consider taking on board this action plan.

He also called on the Government to immediately clarify the proposal made by the Government itself in its pre-budget document which says that as from September 2007, Government intends to offer a vocational educational programme for a number of students who have an intellectual disability. " This is a positive proposal which however needs to be clarified and implemented immediately, September is only a few weeks away and parents are unaware of any new developments with regards to this proposal," continued Dr. Vassallo.

Dr. Vassallo also described the call by the Foundation for the Government to implement the recommendation mentioned in the Spiteri Report with regard to the allocation of state funding to NGOs, which would give parents the right to choose the educational support they deem most beneficial for their child.

Dr. Vassallo also said that Alternattiva Demokratika fully supports the proposal made by Equal Partners Foundation that the expenses paid for support services (educational and other therapies) as indicated in the person's individual educational/vocational programme, would be deducted from the family's or the person's taxable income.