FITA holds third AGM

The Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA) held its third annual general meeting on October 25 at the MITTS Foyer in Gattard House, Blata l-Bajda.

The meeting was attended by President Eddie Fenech Adami, representatives from the Malta Information Technology and Training Services Ltd (MITTS), and the National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD), and disability non-government organisations.

The private sector was represented by the foundation's funding partners, which include the Gasan Group, Computime Ltd, Philip Toledo Ltd, Megabyte Ltd, Löwenbrau Ltd, HSBC Bank Malta, and Techinvest Group.

There were also representatives of a number of supporting organisations, including the Maltese College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST), the Education Division and the Employment Training Corporation (ETC).

Joe R. Grima, chairman, MITTS, and Joseph M. Camilleri, chairman, KNPD, explained the ethos behind the foundation of FITA, and highlighted the need for disability non-government organisations and a growing number of commercial organisations to take up the challenge and participate in the initiatives of the foundation. This is important if we are to bridge the digital divide and continue improving on the achievements made to date.

Michael Micallef, officer in charge of accessibility audits and ICT training, and the foundation's executive co-ordinator, Stanley M. Debono, delivered an overview presentation of FITA's activities and achievements in 2003/4 together with plans for the future.

These were followed by three interesting presentations by disabled persons, who benefited directly from FITA's services. These provided first-hand feedback on some of the work done by FITA, and portrayed how ICT has affected their life.

The presentations also focused on FITA's role in co-ordinating the resources provided by a number of supporting organisations to provide the services and equipment necessary for disabled persons to make the most effective use of ICT.

President Fenech Adami, who chairs the Malta Community Chest Fund, in his concluding speech, again stressed the importance for different stakeholders to be involved in the work of FITA to ensure that disabled persons and service providers obtain mutual benefit through increased ICT accessibility.

There is a significant economic benefit to pursuing pro-active policies and programmes that facilitate long-term employment of people with disabilities.

The implementation of the objectives set by the Equal Opportunities Act (2000) benefit not only disabled persons, but society as a whole. A society that excludes part of its members is a poorer society.

For more information about FITA and its activities call Mr Debono on 2599-2659 or via e-mail at stanley.debono@gov.mt.