Guaranteeing the quality of services in the area of disability is one the Government's priorities
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stressed in Ponta Delgada that the Government of the Azores has set "the assessment of response capacity" and "the introduction of actions to improve this quality" as priorities in the area of disability, thus meeting the needs of families.
"The priority we have set for these responses in particular concerns a rigorous assessment of the quality of response and the implementation of actions to improve it, as provided for in the Regional Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion," assured Andreia Cardoso. The government official spoke after being heard at the Committee on Social Affairs of the Legislative Assembly.
Andreia Cardoso pointed out that the Government's intention is to respond to the needs of families, noting that the Regional Government of the Azores counts not only "the support of its partner associations and institutions, but also on the support of the technicians who work with them."
The Regional Secretary highlighted the partnership established with the institutions working in this area throughout the Region, considering that it is "a very important area insofar as it provides the necessary response capacity. Above all, it ensures the quality of response that we have established as a desirable standard for these responses."
In the particular case of Faial Island, which is the subject of this hearing at the parliamentary committee, Andreia Cardoso assured that the existing responses meet the identified needs, but there is a concern to complement and improve available services whenever necessary.
In this regard, Andreia Cardoso recalled the creation of an inclusive Free Time Occupation Centre in partnership with the Association of Parents and Friends of Disabled People of Faial - APADIF in late 2016. She revealed that the Government will carry out the rehabilitation works of the current Occupation Activity Centre of "Santa Casa da Misericórdia," a public investment of about 1.9 million Euros.
According to the Regional Secretary, the response capacity "is not yet exhausted" as the Regional Government has awarded priority status to "ensuring the proper conditions of the facilities of the Occupational Activity Centre that already exists on Faial Island."