Description
Research proves that people with disabilities do not enjoy equal opportunities in Lithuania yet. Among areas of discrimination is access to information and access to public spaces, therefore a pro-active approach to the disabled members of our society is necessary to ensure they are aware of their rights and are able to participate in policy and decision making, especially related to discrimination and exclusion. Project aims to increase NGO involvement in policy and decision-making processes related to human rights with focus on discrimination, and to promote human rights through awareness raising on rights of people with disabilities. Research on accessibility of public buildings and other spaces shall serve as basis for online map and guidelines on adapting public space for the disabled. Legislation monitoring shall enable competent participation in policy making and initiating necessary legislative changes. Educational programme “Discover Disability” and training programme “Serving clients with disabilities” shall be developed for trainings of business and public sector – at the same time shall add to diversifying sources of funding for LAPD.
Summary of project results
Various studies and statistics show that people with disabilities still do not have equal opportunities to participate in public life. Discrimination can have a variety of forms like the refusal to properly adapt the facilities for mobility. Viable stereotypes that people with disabilities cannot take care of themselves are another aspect of the unfavourable environment for the disabled. Key problems addressed within the project: the general lack of knowledge about people with disabilities; public buildings are badly or not at all adapted for the disabled; inconsistent monitoring of the legislation and practical implementation of rights of people with disabilities. The project was aimed at increasing project promoter’s involvement in actions and processes, protecting people with disabilities and their legitimate interests, reducing social exclusion and discrimination on the basis of disability, thus spreading democratic values and developing an open society. Project promoter has developed a training program „Providing services to customers with disabilities“ which was distributed to public and private organizations thus fostering improvement of quality and technical standards of services used by persons with disabilities. In the foreseeable future project promoter intends to provide paid training sessions to public institutions and businesses willing to learn more about adapting the environment and services provided to persons with disabilities. This could sustainable funding opportunities for LAPD. One of the key products of the project is an interactive web-based tool to track buildings and places (public institutions, offices, shops, markets, stations, etc.) that are (or are not) accessible for people with mobility impairments. This tools is used for awareness raising, promotional and advocacy purposes as it is attractive and may depict the actual situation as well as encourage positive changes in the physical environment. It is likely that project impact shall be visible beyond the project deadline as the results produced help improving the access to information about people with disabilities, as well as promoting adaptation of physical environment to persons with mobility impairments. The awareness raising measures has already resulted in greater sensitivity of the society towards opportunities of inclusion for persons with disabilities.
Summary of bilateral results