Down Syndrome Association Malta

27/10/2026

PRESS RELEASE
27 October 2026

DSAM welcomes free therapies and encourages continued investment in lifelong support and learning

The Down Syndrome Association Malta welcomes the Budget 2027 announcement of fully funded required therapies for children with disabilities under the age of 18. This measure represents an important step towards making essential therapies more accessible and inclusive, supporting children’s development, communication, wellbeing and participation. Flexibility in appointment scheduling would further assist families in balancing employment and their children’s therapy needs.

The Association respectfully emphasises that therapy and support needs continue beyond the age of 18. Sustained investment in inclusive informal learning groups is also essential, particularly after formal education ends. These opportunities promote friendships, confidence and independence while strengthening communication, decision-making, self-advocacy and everyday living skills.

DSAM also encourages continued investment in personal assistance, respite, inclusive education, supported employment and independent living, ensuring reliable support remains available as parents and carers grow older.

Persons with Down syndrome, together with their representative organisations, should be actively involved in shaping these services so that their choices and aspirations are respected. The Association looks forward to continued constructive collaboration with Government and relevant stakeholders to advance meaningful inclusion throughout life.

Issued by the Down Syndrome Association Malta
Inklużjoni Julia Farrugia Robert Abela

27/10/2026

Ħarsa ħafifa lejn dak li tħabbar fil-baġit b'rabta mal-inklużjoni:

✅ Terapiji b'xejn għal tfal b'diżabbilta' taħt it-18-il sena.

✅ €7,500 fis-sena fil-Carers Grant għall-ġenituri li ma jistgħux jaħdmu minħabba d-diżabilità severa ta’ wliedhom. Pass ieħor lejn l-ekwivalenti tal-Paga Minima Nazzjonali netta.

✅ Dawk il-ġenituri li ma jaħdmux iżjed minn 20 siegħa part-time fil-ġimgħa xorta se jibbenefikaw mill-Carers Grant, iżda bir-rata preżenti ta' nofs il-paga minima nazzjonali netta.

✅ €9,800 fis-sena permezz tal-Carer at Home, żieda ta’ €800 għall-anzjani li jimpjegaw carer full-time.

✅ Żidiet fil-Paga Minima Nazzjonali u l-COLA se jwasslu għal benefiċċji ogħla għal madwar 15,000 persuna b’diżabilità, carers u benefiċjarji tal-assistenza soċjali: €9.37 fil-ġimgħa aktar fl-Assistenza Miżjuda għal Diżabilità Severa u €6.41 aktar fl-assistenzi l-oħra għad-diżabilità, il-vista batuta, il-Benefiċċju għal Diżabilità, iż-żewġ Allowances għal Carers u l-Assistenza Soċjali.

✅ Mill-2027, persuni b’diżabilità b’pensjoni kontributorja li qabel kienu jirċievu benefiċċju għad-diżabilità jew pensjoni għall-korriment fuq ix-xogħol se jirċievu 20% minflok 10% tal-benefiċċju preċedenti, bil-għan li dan jilħaq 50% fis-snin li ġejjin.

🇲🇹 Għalina l-inklużjoni mhijiex biss kelma, iżda impenn li nsarrfu f’miżuri konkreti li jagħmlu differenza fil-ħajja tan-nies.

27/10/2026

21/10/2026

EDSA Annual General Assembly (AGA2026) and Inclusive Education Summit 23-25 October 2026

Türkiye Down syndrome Association will host the next EDSA Annual General Assembly (AGA2026), taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 23–25 October 2026.

As part of the programme, the association will also host the Inclusive Education Summit on 24 October 2026. This one-day conference will bring together educators, experts, self-advocates, posters, families, and organisations from across Europe.

The summit will explore innovative approaches to inclusive education, share good practices, and foster collaboration to help create more inclusive learning environments for everyone.

https://edsa.eu/aga2026_istanbul/

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

💙💛 Another Proud Achievement for Down Syndrome Association Malta! 🇲🇹🇪🇺

Today, Down Syndrome Association Malta is proud to be represented at the EUPA Grant Award Ceremony 2026🏆

We are delighted to have received a Certificate of Recognition for our Erasmus+ Accredited Project for Mobility of Learners and Staff in Adult Education.

This is another exciting step forward for our Association, bringing new opportunities for our members with Down syndrome to explore, learn, develop skills and gain valuable experiences beyond our shores. 🌍✈️

Through this accreditation, we look forward to strengthening international partnerships, exchanging good practices and creating more opportunities that promote independence, self-advocacy, lifelong learning and inclusion.

✨ Every new opportunity is another step towards a society where persons with Down syndrome are empowered to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential.

We are excited for what lies ahead and look forward to sharing this journey with our members and families!

More opportunities, more experiences, more inclusion! 💙💛

13/10/2026

🇲🇹🇫🇷 It’s a Match – Marseille | Day 4 – Our Final Day! 💙💛

What a blast! What a journey! What an amazing experience! ❤️

Our final day in Marseille was full of emotions, achievements, friendship and unforgettable memories!

🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️ 5KM COMPLETED! 💪🏅

We started our morning by taking part in the Algernon Inclusive 5KM Walk, an incredible event that brought together over 8,000 participants, celebrating inclusion, diversity and determination!

And we couldn’t be prouder of our four self-advices Karl Xerri Essien Mifsud Katrina Elena Manicolo Giulia Bonnici !!!🇲🇹

All four successfully completed the full 5 kilometres! 🏆

They challenged themselves, pushed their limits, encouraged one another and, most importantly, they never gave up!

It wasn’t about who finished first, but about determination, teamwork, supporting one another and believing in themselves. ❤️

✨ Magic Moments – A Special Ending

Later in the day, we came together with our friends from the other partner organisations for our Magic Moments session.

Each participant had the opportunity to express what they had learned during this experience, share their favourite moments and reflect on what this journey meant to them.

It was wonderful to hear their voices, their thoughts and their personal experiences.

This is what self-advocacy is all about — having the confidence and opportunity to speak for yourself, make your own choices and be heard! 💙

11/10/2026

⛵🌊 It’s a Match – Marseille | Day 3! 🇲🇹🇫🇷

A day of teamwork, adventure, friendship and inclusion! 💙💛

Day 3 of our It’s a Match project took us to the beautiful coast of Marseille for a very special experience!

⛵ Our participants had the opportunity to take part in sailing activities and the regatta experience, while others enjoyed exploring the beautiful coastline of the Calanques.

Throughout the day, the focus was not only on the activities themselves but also on teamwork, communication, trust, supporting one another and overcoming challenges.

🤝 These are important life skills that also play a big role in the world of work.

The day continued with a lovely gathering at the sailing club, followed by celebrations, awards, music and dancing together with our friends from the other partner organisations. 🎶🏅

❤️ Because inclusion is not just about being present — it is about participating, contributing, building friendships and feeling that you belong.

Another memorable day for our self-advocates, Karl, Essien, Katrina and Giulia, representing Down Syndrome Association Malta!


Inclution - inclusive solutionsStana Schenck

10/10/2026

🇲🇹🇫🇷 It’s a Match – Marseille | Day 2! 💙💛

Another exciting and meaningful day for our four self-advocates, Karl, Essien, Katrina and Giulia, representing Down Syndrome Association Malta!

⚽ We started our day with a visit to the famous Stade Vélodrome, home of Olympique de Marseille, enjoying a wonderful experience together.

💼 In the afternoon, we joined the other partner organisations for our project workshop, where our four participants proudly presented themselves, shared their work experiences and spoke about their jobs, skills and achievements.

It was a great opportunity to learn from one another, exchange experiences and celebrate the importance of employment, independence and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

🌍 Different countries, different experiences, but one common goal – inclusion and opportunities for all!

A big thank you to all our project partners for sharing this journey with us! ❤️


Inclution - inclusive solutions
Essien Mifsud Katrina Elena Manicolo Giulia Bonnici. Inclution - inclusive solutions i

08/10/2026

🇲🇹✈️ Team DSA Malta is off to Marseille! 🇫🇷💛💙

And the adventure begins! 🌍

Our four amazing self-advocates, Karl Xerri , Essien Mifsud, @ and Katrina Elena Manicolo Giulia Bonnici, are at the airport, ready to represent Down Syndrome Association Malta through the It’s a Match project together with Marija Laura Joeanna Xerri!

This time, the project focuses on employment, skills and opportunities for people with Down syndrome. 💼

Over the coming days, our young adults will share their personal work experiences, learn from others and show how important employment is for independence, confidence and inclusion.

❤️ Four different journeys, four different experiences, but one shared message:

People with Down syndrome have abilities, talents and dreams — and deserve equal opportunities in the world of work!

Marseille, here we come! 🇲🇹✈️🇫🇷


Stana Schenck Inclution - inclusive solutions