Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
We, disabled people, and our municipality - equal partners
Disabled People's Club and Sliven Municipality
Background
The Municipality of Sliven and the Municipal Association of Disabled People jointly implemented the project and directed it towards people with permanent physical disabilities. The project aimed to help disabled people to overcome their social isolation through professional training, and to attain new practical and theoretical skills. Owing to the project activities, participants made a big step towards surmounting their inferiority complex. The project provided work realization for them in the Citizen Services Center at the Municipality of Sliven.
The Municipality of Sliven and the Municipal Association of Disabled People jointly implemented the project and directed it towards people with permanent physical disabilities. The project aimed to help disabled people to overcome their social isolation through professional training, and to attain new practical and theoretical skills. Owing to the project activities, participants made a big step towards surmounting their inferiority complex. The project provided work realization for them in the Citizen Services Center at the Municipality of Sliven.
Practice
The project partners the Association of Disabled People and the Municipality of Sliven had strictly divided obligations. The municipality was committed to provide two work places in the Citizen Service Center, where the disabled had the chance to put their professional skills in practice for five months, as well as to receive work remuneration which increased their families` income.
For this purpose, 19 people passed three 3-staged trainings in:
1. Basic communication skills
2. Organizational and administrative knowledge, and professional skills in local administration.
3. Practical computer skills.
At the end of the training, the participants passed an exam and received certificates corresponding to their level of abilities. A test and an interview helped the selection of six people who worked at the Citizen Services Center for five months. The employees at the Center provided all kind of administrative services filled in documents, added data in the information network, maintained the information tables, and informed people of their civil state and registration. The participants in the project took active part in the technical preparation of materials for the Municipal Council sessions. The project coincided with the national change of identity documents, so the additional help of the disabled people was indispensable.
The project participants became consultants to their Association colleagues. They helped them on topics concerning the municipality ctizen services issue of various certificates, licenses, certificates, etc. In this way the target group included a larger number of people.
The association developed its own Internet web site and e-mail address. These innovations widened the circle of their social contacts and friends and gave them the opportunity to receive current information on various topics of their interests. The web site includes information about the Association activities and monthly bulletin which consults disabled people about legislative documents of their concern.
The project partners the Association of Disabled People and the Municipality of Sliven had strictly divided obligations. The municipality was committed to provide two work places in the Citizen Service Center, where the disabled had the chance to put their professional skills in practice for five months, as well as to receive work remuneration which increased their families` income.
For this purpose, 19 people passed three 3-staged trainings in:
1. Basic communication skills
2. Organizational and administrative knowledge, and professional skills in local administration.
3. Practical computer skills.
At the end of the training, the participants passed an exam and received certificates corresponding to their level of abilities. A test and an interview helped the selection of six people who worked at the Citizen Services Center for five months. The employees at the Center provided all kind of administrative services filled in documents, added data in the information network, maintained the information tables, and informed people of their civil state and registration. The participants in the project took active part in the technical preparation of materials for the Municipal Council sessions. The project coincided with the national change of identity documents, so the additional help of the disabled people was indispensable.
The project participants became consultants to their Association colleagues. They helped them on topics concerning the municipality ctizen services issue of various certificates, licenses, certificates, etc. In this way the target group included a larger number of people.
The association developed its own Internet web site and e-mail address. These innovations widened the circle of their social contacts and friends and gave them the opportunity to receive current information on various topics of their interests. The web site includes information about the Association activities and monthly bulletin which consults disabled people about legislative documents of their concern.
Results
- Integration of disabled people project participants showed excellent knowledge and skills and for five months they became an indispensable part of the Center s staff. The survey conducted among the citizens proved that disabled people deserve an equal chance for professional realization.
- Overcoming the inferiority complex and social isolation through every day communication with citizens and by working at the Center; the disabled acquired higher self-esteem and became more active members of the society.
- Disabled people became more informed with respect to local government and civil society topics.
- Employers have shown interest in the professional realization of disabled people on the labor market. One of the project participants already works on a labor contract at the Social Barometer NGO. More offers are waiting to be realized.
- By engaging disabled people in its structures, the municipality has proved in practice the openness and transparency of its work process. That proved an excellent example for the social integration of disabled people not only for the community of Sliven, but also for all national institutions.
- The project could be applied to all municipalities, willing to work toward solving the problems of disabled citizens.
- Integration of disabled people project participants showed excellent knowledge and skills and for five months they became an indispensable part of the Center s staff. The survey conducted among the citizens proved that disabled people deserve an equal chance for professional realization.
- Overcoming the inferiority complex and social isolation through every day communication with citizens and by working at the Center; the disabled acquired higher self-esteem and became more active members of the society.
- Disabled people became more informed with respect to local government and civil society topics.
- Employers have shown interest in the professional realization of disabled people on the labor market. One of the project participants already works on a labor contract at the Social Barometer NGO. More offers are waiting to be realized.
- By engaging disabled people in its structures, the municipality has proved in practice the openness and transparency of its work process. That proved an excellent example for the social integration of disabled people not only for the community of Sliven, but also for all national institutions.
- The project could be applied to all municipalities, willing to work toward solving the problems of disabled citizens.
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