The project, I Also Want to Talk to You, was the result from a discussion of the problems faced by the people with disabilities in the municipality. The people with hearing disabilities need special cares that require specialized communication skills, in order to meet their need for social contacts. The initiative was assumed by the municipal administration and the community center s board, with the support of the local affiliate of the Union of People with Impaired Hearing in Momchilgrad. A project proposal was developed under FLGR s Social Environment Improvement Program, funded by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
The project team notified the official representatives of the institutions in Momchilgrad about the organization of a practical course in the sign language and had personal meetings with them. The public was informed about the course via and announcement on the local cable TV station.
A meeting with a lecturer from Sofia was held to clarify the agenda with the trainees. Itw as decided that the course will be held after business hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Sign language dictionaries and video tapes were provided to the trainees.
In partnership with the Makaza 2002 Association, a concert was organized for the 2003 Ramazan Bayram holidays. Invitations were sent to the local associations of the disabled: to the chair of the Disabled People s Association, to the chair of the municipal organization of the blind and their members. An announcement for the upcoming concert was published in the local press. Funding for the concert was provided by the Municipality of Momchilgrad, the Equal Opportunities for Each of Us Project and the Makaza 2002 Association. In partnership with the latter, a trip to Zlatograd was organized for disabled people in May, 2004; for some of them, this was the first trip they ve had outside of Momchilgrad. Momchilgrad s residents attitude to the hearing impaired was studied by a survey. The results from the survey were published in The New Life newspaper, thus creating understanding and sympathy among the citizens in Momchilgrad. 89% of the interviewees stated that they know a disabled person /acquaintance, friend or relative/ and that they ve had a contact with a hearing impaired person at a public place or at home. 83% of the respondents don t want to think what it would be if they were hearing impaired. If hearing impaired, 51% of the respondents don t know whether they would have had the same friends, while 36% firmly state that they wouldn t. 55% believe that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Social Assistance Directorate, the Area Court, the municipal administration, the community center and the hospital must have staff fluent in the sign language. And finally, 69% of the interviewees believe that the 15-minute news with sign language translation are insufficient to adequately inform the people in this target group.
The final test for the sign language trainees was held in May, 2004, at the end of the course. 9 out of 20 trainees successfully passed the test and received certificates from the Central Board of the Union of Hearing Impaired People in Bulgaria. Information about the individuals fluent in the sign language was released by the local media.
The project creates a favorable environment for the social integration of people with impaired hearing by providing communication opportunities at all important institutions: hospital, social assistance office, school, post office. 9 volunteers have successfully completed the sign language course. 50 residents of the municipality of Momchilgrad have been interviewed. Local business organizations supported the events organized for the people with disabilities. A partnership was established between the Municipality of Momchilgrad, the Nov Zhivot Popular Community Center and the Makaza 2002 Association, with the active involvement of the local media.
For additional information, please contact :
Aylin Ramadan Osman,
Kamber Osman Kamber
Nov Zhivot Popular Community Center
2, Momchil Voyvoda Street
6800 Momchilgrad
Tel.: (03631) 4017, (088) 964 8486
Email: [email protected]
Levent Hasan
Municipality of Momchilgrad
12, 26th December Street
6800 Momchilgrad
Tel./fax: (03631) 2397, (089) 992 3413
Email: [email protected]
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