Ms Marchita Mangiafico, who is a member of the University of Malta’s ACCESS Disability Support Unit (ADSU), has won an award for her work in the strengthening of the Rights of Persons with Disability.
She is one of the six individuals and entities who won the Premju SoÄ‹jeta’ Ä usta 2020, a yearly recognition of locals whose work has helped the sector of people with disability make significant strides.
The Prize is an initiative of the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing.
Whilst Ms Mangiafico was recognised for strengthening the Rights of Persons with Disability, Ms Angela Agius and Fr Martin Micallef from Id-Dar tal-Providenza were awarded for their lifelong commitment to the Disability Sector, local company Ecabs received the award for place of work that operates in an inclusive manner, and Jake Vella received an award for Active Participation in Sport, Arts & Culture.
Ms Mangiafico has been instrumental in setting up the Unit at University that has a twofold aim: assisting persons with access requirements to continue their education at tertiary level, and providing staff with support during working time on campus.
She is also the President of the National Parents Society of Persons with Disability, and a member of The Guardianship Board, whose purpose is to appoint guardians for people with severe intellectual impairment and/or mental health illness to safeguard the best interest of the latter.
Prof. Carmen Sammut, Pro-Rector for Students & Student Affairs and Chairperson of the ACCESS Disability Support Committee, said “we are proud to have Marchita be part of the team. She is not just dedicated because of her personal determination, but you can tell that she genuinely feels strongly about helping people with disability be seen and thrive in society. She is testament to how we are here to make our world a better place”.
Contacted by Newspoint, Ms Mangiafico said she is extremely grateful, and promises to keep working towards making the environment she is in an inclusive one.
