Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
TV Project for Disabled People Regardless
"Media with Human Face" Association
Background
When meeting a person in a wheelchair, most people feel sympathy - they think he cannot do anything, and somebody should help him, and he, the disabled one, should just stay around. I want to be a self-dependent person, and to solve my problems on my own. This gives me pleasure and self-confidence. Only in this way I can see our integration with healthy people.
These are the words of the first speaker in a wheelchair on Bulgarian TV. Latin Bankov is a self-confident young man who has his own business. He is doomed to be in a wheelchair. Full of energy and ideas, Latin Bankov is an ambitious man. He is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Union of Disabled People in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Federation Sports for the Disabled . Nothing seems unfamiliar to him he loves sports, dance, being with friends. His physical problem does not prevent him from being the first TV speaker in a wheelchair in Bulgaria. The TV program that makes him a media person is called Regardless .
When meeting a person in a wheelchair, most people feel sympathy - they think he cannot do anything, and somebody should help him, and he, the disabled one, should just stay around. I want to be a self-dependent person, and to solve my problems on my own. This gives me pleasure and self-confidence. Only in this way I can see our integration with healthy people.
These are the words of the first speaker in a wheelchair on Bulgarian TV. Latin Bankov is a self-confident young man who has his own business. He is doomed to be in a wheelchair. Full of energy and ideas, Latin Bankov is an ambitious man. He is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Union of Disabled People in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Federation Sports for the Disabled . Nothing seems unfamiliar to him he loves sports, dance, being with friends. His physical problem does not prevent him from being the first TV speaker in a wheelchair in Bulgaria. The TV program that makes him a media person is called Regardless .
Practice
The program is delivered twice a month on Plovdiv Public Television. Right from the start it was interpreted in gestures as well. The team involves the author, Vassilka Nikolakova, the cameraman, Todor Daskalov, the director, Oncho Cherchian, and the producer Petko Shoylekov, who is also the initiator of the project.
When it all started, I was sure that disabled people are a small group that lives in isolation and invisibility. The reason for that is not the lack of willingness, but the infrastructure of the City of Plovdiv, which does not allow disabled people to visit stores, schools, cinemas and theaters But it turned to be something else. In the beginning it was difficult for us to convince people to stand in front of the camera, to speak about themselves and about their problems. After some time they started calling us, proposed ideas, gave their opinions and suggestions. It was not easy at all. This was the beginning with joint efforts we are trying to prove to them that they are part of society and we need them as our friends, neighbours and colleagues.
The TV program gives information about vacant jobs for disabled people in Plovdiv, and contacts of employers who are willing to give them a chance. They are also able to establish contacts with friends from all over the world, to talk about their problems and to exchange useful information. Their connection to the world becomes real also through the program Disabled All Over the World .
The program is delivered twice a month on Plovdiv Public Television. Right from the start it was interpreted in gestures as well. The team involves the author, Vassilka Nikolakova, the cameraman, Todor Daskalov, the director, Oncho Cherchian, and the producer Petko Shoylekov, who is also the initiator of the project.
When it all started, I was sure that disabled people are a small group that lives in isolation and invisibility. The reason for that is not the lack of willingness, but the infrastructure of the City of Plovdiv, which does not allow disabled people to visit stores, schools, cinemas and theaters But it turned to be something else. In the beginning it was difficult for us to convince people to stand in front of the camera, to speak about themselves and about their problems. After some time they started calling us, proposed ideas, gave their opinions and suggestions. It was not easy at all. This was the beginning with joint efforts we are trying to prove to them that they are part of society and we need them as our friends, neighbours and colleagues.
The TV program gives information about vacant jobs for disabled people in Plovdiv, and contacts of employers who are willing to give them a chance. They are also able to establish contacts with friends from all over the world, to talk about their problems and to exchange useful information. Their connection to the world becomes real also through the program Disabled All Over the World .
Results
A TV program was created and delivered on Plovdiv Public Television. It meets the needs of thousands of disabled people, and it also gives access to information, contacts and connections with all parts of the world. The program is part of the intense efforts of Media with Human Face Association to provide on-air time for underprivileged people, to direct public attention towards their problems and to make an impact on the development of media policy in Bulgaria.
A TV program was created and delivered on Plovdiv Public Television. It meets the needs of thousands of disabled people, and it also gives access to information, contacts and connections with all parts of the world. The program is part of the intense efforts of Media with Human Face Association to provide on-air time for underprivileged people, to direct public attention towards their problems and to make an impact on the development of media policy in Bulgaria.
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