EUD - European Union of the Deaf
EUD EUD Members EP SL Conference 2010 SignSpeak Project EUD UNCRPD DVD EUD Partners News Archive Events Calendar Links EUD GA 2010


Malta

Deaf People Association, Malta

Established: 1973
Full member of EUD since: 2005

Address: 45, Lascaris Wharf, Valletta, VLT1921, Malta

Contact details:

Email: info@deafmalta.com

Fax: (+356) 21245823

Website link: http://www.deafmalta.com

 

Mission statement of the organisation

  • We strive to ensure that Deaf persons have equal opportunities to enable them live an independent life of the highest possible quality.
  • We pressure Maltese authorities to ensure that Deaf people have equal opportunities.
  • We investigate ways on how deaf people can have equal opportunities.
  • We raise public awareness of Deafness.
  • We disseminate information on existing facilities available to Deaf people
  • We enter into partnerships with Government, authorities and organisations that support the Association's aims
  • We encourage international contacts with similar organisations abroad and take part in international meetings.

 

Details of the Board             

President: George Vella (D)

Board Members: Melanie Abela (D), Nicolette Aquilina (D), Patrick Micallef (D) and Kris Florian (D).

 

Details of the Staff

Executive Director:

Other staff: Hearing co-ordinator, Chris Ripard (for quick correspondence)

 

Statistics

General Population of your country? (Including hearing people) 400,000

Official or approximate figures of the number of Deaf people living in your country? 400

Official or approximate numbers of Deaf people who use sign language as their primary language? approximately 120

How many people are members of the NAD? 60

Does your National Association of the Deaf publish any magazine or newsletters for your members? Newsletter every 2/3 months

Does your National Association of the Deaf have Youth section? Yes, functioning as a Deaf Youth group.

 

Status of Sign Language

Is Sign Language legally recognised as part of your Government's constitution? No.

Is there any campaign to get the sign language legally recognised? No not yet but hopefully in the future.

 

Status of Sign Language Interpreters

Approximate number of qualified sign language interpreters: 3 Interpreters within our Deaf People Association.

Details of training centre/courses: N/A

 

Technology

Does your country provide Video Interpreting Service? No.

If not, when will it be implemented? Hopefully in the future.

 

Deaf centre/clubs

How many deaf centres/clubs? 1 

Details of the deaf centre/clubs: N/A

 

Universities/Sign Language Units

Are there any Universities that deal with Sign Language? (Deaf Studies, Linguistics, Interpreting) There is support from University & Foundation Development of Sign Language as well as the University of Malta Institute of Linguistics.

 

Deaf Schools

Number of Deaf Schools: We have one special school, mixed with other disablities.

Education method (Sign Language, Oral or other methods): Mostly Oral.

 

History of the NAD

The Deaf People Association (Malta) was established in 1973. In 1982 the Deaf Club was opened. Currently it has about 60 members, from a total Deaf population of approximately 400 Deaf people. There is only one Deaf Club in Malta.

 

Last updated: 22 February 2010 

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.