The Equal Partners Foundation is worried about the future of children with disability who are over the age of 16, foundation president Colin Galea was quoted as saying during a meeting with the Malta Labour Party.

The foundation works with people with a disability and their families. It was established in 1999 and offers services to around 170 families. It believes that people with disability should be treated within their respective communities.

Mr Galea said that, at the end of their school years, the children end back at square one as they were dismissed from their school after their 16th birthday. Parents were very worried about this situation, said Mr Galea.

MLP leader Alfred Sant said the party was very interested in the foundation’s work. He emphasised that, while the state had a role to play, NGOs had an equally important role.

He said the positive results achieved in the last few years by inclusive policies had raised expectations. However, he said, there was a need to fill the void that was created after children turned 16.