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A chance for disabled people: We wish and we can learn and work in Belitsa and Yakoruda Municipalities
Society of Disabled People - Belitsa
Background
Unemployment in the Municipalities of Belica and Yakoruda afffects up to 70% of the population. Out of 180 disabled people in the Municipality of Yakoruda, only five have professional occupation. Until the associations were founded, disabled people were an invisible part of the society in both municipalities. Currently, there is a vocal group for authentic folklore songs as part of the Associations of the Disabled Persons in both municipalities. The Association in Belica has successfully provided its members with useful technical equipment (wheelchairs, hearing-aids, and a special caravan), as well as humanitarian aid (medicines, clothes, firewood, and food). A member of the Association represents the disabled in the local Municipal Council. The Association has established stable contacts with different nongovernmental organizations. The most important problem yet is the high percentage of unemployment among its members.
Unemployment in the Municipalities of Belica and Yakoruda afffects up to 70% of the population. Out of 180 disabled people in the Municipality of Yakoruda, only five have professional occupation. Until the associations were founded, disabled people were an invisible part of the society in both municipalities. Currently, there is a vocal group for authentic folklore songs as part of the Associations of the Disabled Persons in both municipalities. The Association in Belica has successfully provided its members with useful technical equipment (wheelchairs, hearing-aids, and a special caravan), as well as humanitarian aid (medicines, clothes, firewood, and food). A member of the Association represents the disabled in the local Municipal Council. The Association has established stable contacts with different nongovernmental organizations. The most important problem yet is the high percentage of unemployment among its members.
Practice
The project won financial support from Charles Stuart Mott Foundation through the Foundation for Local Government Reform. A Center for education and support to the disabled was equipped with two computers, a printer and a copy machine. Аll members of the Associations in Belica and Yakoruda willing to participate were trained according to a specially prepared schedule. The Center increased the number of lectures delivered, due to the broad interest in working with Word and Excel Microsoft products. The training was organized in three groups; 8 people from the Association in Yakoruda and 16 from Belica participated.
All activities were carried out according to the time schedule. The biggest difficulty that the project team encountered was finding a suitable, еаsy to access and, in the same time, well-guarded premise for the Center. In spite of the several meetings with the Municipality of Belica, the Association was not able to provide a proper premise on time. However, with the cooperation of the project partner - the Association of the Disabled in Yakoruda a suitable premise in Yakoruda was found and the Center was opened there. Meanwhile, the project team and the Municipal Administration continued looking for an office in Belica.
- The project included regular meetings of the Association members. Disabled discussed important issues with relation to legislation and health reform.
- There were three meetings with representatives of the local authorities. A member of the Association participated in a Municipal Council session discussing the premises.
- A special seminar in the village of Momin Prohod was organized, which was a precious opportunity for 50 members of the Associations to socialize in a relaxed environment, away from their hometowns. Two of the seminar topics were Labor a factor of great psychological value for disabled people and Amendments in the Law for protection, rehabilitation and social integration of disabled people . The opportunity for consultation with specialists and discussion was highly valued by the participants in the seminar.
- Members of both Associations celebrated together Christian and Muslim holidays.
- There were several meetings organized with members of the Parliament, at which both sides discussed changes in legislation, concerning disabled people.
The Association worked on this project with the local community center and the Municipal Administration. Because of its work successes, the Association proved to be an important factor in the Municipality. Through their work products, its members proved to be beneficial not only to themselves, but also to the society.
The project won financial support from Charles Stuart Mott Foundation through the Foundation for Local Government Reform. A Center for education and support to the disabled was equipped with two computers, a printer and a copy machine. Аll members of the Associations in Belica and Yakoruda willing to participate were trained according to a specially prepared schedule. The Center increased the number of lectures delivered, due to the broad interest in working with Word and Excel Microsoft products. The training was organized in three groups; 8 people from the Association in Yakoruda and 16 from Belica participated.
All activities were carried out according to the time schedule. The biggest difficulty that the project team encountered was finding a suitable, еаsy to access and, in the same time, well-guarded premise for the Center. In spite of the several meetings with the Municipality of Belica, the Association was not able to provide a proper premise on time. However, with the cooperation of the project partner - the Association of the Disabled in Yakoruda a suitable premise in Yakoruda was found and the Center was opened there. Meanwhile, the project team and the Municipal Administration continued looking for an office in Belica.
- The project included regular meetings of the Association members. Disabled discussed important issues with relation to legislation and health reform.
- There were three meetings with representatives of the local authorities. A member of the Association participated in a Municipal Council session discussing the premises.
- A special seminar in the village of Momin Prohod was organized, which was a precious opportunity for 50 members of the Associations to socialize in a relaxed environment, away from their hometowns. Two of the seminar topics were Labor a factor of great psychological value for disabled people and Amendments in the Law for protection, rehabilitation and social integration of disabled people . The opportunity for consultation with specialists and discussion was highly valued by the participants in the seminar.
- Members of both Associations celebrated together Christian and Muslim holidays.
- There were several meetings organized with members of the Parliament, at which both sides discussed changes in legislation, concerning disabled people.
The Association worked on this project with the local community center and the Municipal Administration. Because of its work successes, the Association proved to be an important factor in the Municipality. Through their work products, its members proved to be beneficial not only to themselves, but also to the society.
Results
- Twenty-four disabled citizens of the Municipalities of Belica and Yakoruda have received training in computer operation (Word and Excel Microsoft products)
- Through training in basic computer and administrative skills, a possibility for work realization and social integration was created for the members of the Associations.
- A Center for education and support to the disabled was founded in Yakoruda. There they have the opportunity to socialize and receive free computer training, as well as other services. The Center is a good base for starting new projects and joint initiatives. It is a factor for stable integration of the disabled in the society.
- There were several meetings with specialists lecturing on health reform and legislation concerning the problems of disabled people.
- Twenty-four disabled citizens of the Municipalities of Belica and Yakoruda have received training in computer operation (Word and Excel Microsoft products)
- Through training in basic computer and administrative skills, a possibility for work realization and social integration was created for the members of the Associations.
- A Center for education and support to the disabled was founded in Yakoruda. There they have the opportunity to socialize and receive free computer training, as well as other services. The Center is a good base for starting new projects and joint initiatives. It is a factor for stable integration of the disabled in the society.
- There were several meetings with specialists lecturing on health reform and legislation concerning the problems of disabled people.
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