New one-stop shop for persons with disability inaugurated following €600,000 investment

New one-stop shop for persons with disability inaugurated following €600,000 investment
Local

Aġenzija Sapport has announced a nearly €600,000 investment to strengthen facilities at the Sonia Tanti Independent Living Centre (STILC), aimed at improving services offered to persons with disability and their families.

The announcement was made by Julia Farrugia in the presence of Oliver Scicluna.

The centre includes modern spaces and clinics where professionals, including speech language pathologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, provide services based on the principle of independent living.

Over the past three years, extensive upgrading and development works have been carried out to better meet clients’ needs. Improvements include an increased number of therapy clinics, a training room for specialised sessions with professionals and parents, a sensory-motor room, and an accessible outdoor area for sessions with children.

STILC offers support, information and guidance to help persons with disability live more independently within the community. Through professional assessments carried out by occupational therapists and physiotherapists, clients receive support related to assistive equipment, mobility and specialised training.

Services also include wheelchair and mobility scooter assessments, driving assessments, driving simulations and vehicle modification support. During 2025, 390 people made use of the centre’s various services.

Clients using these services may also be referred to schemes such as the Empowerment Scheme and vehicle assistance schemes to further strengthen accessibility and independence.

Minister Farrugia described the investment as a concrete step towards improving quality of life and independence for persons with disability, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a more inclusive society where everyone is given the support needed to live independently and participate fully in the community.

Meanwhile, Scicluna said the centre is expected to begin operating in the coming weeks, describing it as another clear sign of Aġenzija Sapport’s commitment to delivering modern, effective and high-quality services that address the needs of persons with disability, including children.

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