Malta is participating as a national partner in the Erasmus+ 2023 'Digital for All' project, a government statement said.
This initiative aims to improve digital literacy among persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups across Europe, empowering them to participate more fully in society, the labour market, education, and culture.
This was announced by Minister for Inclusion and Voluntary Sector Julia Farrugia and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti, during a visit to the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA).
The project is built on a community-based digital training programme that can be adapted and implemented in different cultural contexts, the statement said.
The curriculum was created by young people with disabilities and developed into a comprehensive four-module course covering a ten-month period.
Throughout the project, persons with disabilities will be trained through pilot sessions in Estonia, Lithuania, and Malta by members of the European Council of Autistic People (EUCAP).
In Malta, seven young people with disabilities are actively participating in the project, alongside their peers from other EU countries.
Farrugia said that in today's world, digitalisation is not a choice, but a reality everyone must live with.
"It is not enough to build digital infrastructure, we must ensure that no one is left behind. Through the Digital for All project, Malta is sending a clear message, that social justice and equality in access to technology are a priority for this government," Farrugia said.
She said that this project confirms government's commitment to connecting communities, increasing opportunities, and providing the necessary tools so that every citizen, particularly those with disabilities, can fully reach their potential.
"By investing in people, we build a fairer, more inclusive, and truly European society. Malta remains at the forefront of raising awareness and driving concrete change in this field, which is so crucial to our shared future," Farrugia said.
Azzopardi Tanti said that the Digital for All project is a clear example of how innovation can be a force for social good.
"By involving young people with disabilities in the creation and delivery of digital training, we are showing that inclusion and research can go hand in hand. This approach not only strengthens their personal skills but also gives them a central role in shaping a fairer and more digitally open society. Malta remains committed to supporting such projects that give everyone a voice and a space," he said.
During this month, the Directorate for Disability Issues will be hosting a project participants' meeting in Malta as part of ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Young people with disabilities in Malta will meet with their peers from other EU countries, the statement said.
These visits aim to strengthen European cooperation and share best practices in inclusive digital education.
In addition to the direct training outcomes, the project also aims to influence legislative levels.
Policy recommendations are being drafted based on real-life experiences of participants, and these will be shared across the EU via the European Disability Forum, the European Disability Platform, and through the EU Council Presidencies.
Alongside the Directorate for Disability Issues in Malta, project collaborators include the Estonian Chamber of Persons with Disabilities, the Lithuanian Agency for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Estonian Foundation of Persons with Disabilities, and the European Council of Autistic People (EUCAP).