Description
The project addresses the challenges facing the parents of a child with a disability when having a second child related to balanced bringing up of the child with and the child without disabilities together. The project aims at supporting the parents in such circumstances by raising their awareness about the benefits of having a second child. First, a report will be prepared about the benefits of having a second child in a family with a disabled child. Second, 3 round tables will be held in the cities of Sofia, Varna and Kazanluk will be held with the stakeholders (families, children with disabilities, the state institutions, the media) to present the report and good practices. Finally, a pilot group of parents will be trained as trainers to disseminate the findings and recommendations of the report and the round tables. The project will benefit the families with disabled children, the state institutions, the relevant NGOs and the public in general.
Summary of project results
The project addressed for the first time in Bulgaria the positive aspects of having a second child in the family of a child with disabilities and the nest approach to raising children in a family of a child with disabilities. The participants in the round tables and the training organized under the project believe that this is a very important topic particularly in the context of the demographic crisis in Bulgaria. The long-term goal of the project was to create conditions for debate about the development of children with disabilities and their siblings in the context of the economic and social challenges in Bulgaria. The project fulfilled its goals and a sub-website was created with the analytical report, a discussion forum and a network of like-minded people who took part in the round tables and parents certified in training parents. The main project results were reported by the media and the impact makes it possible for the initiative to continue after the project end. The report analyzing the positive aspects from the birth of a second child in the family of a child with disabilities and the use of the best possible approach to the raising of children in a family of a child with disabilities was disseminated among the representatives of all stakeholders (parents of children with disabilities, children with disabilities, State Agency for Child Protection, Agency for People with Disabilities, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy) who in turn informed their professional and social networks about the good practices and recommendations to support families to have a second child and the positive impact on the child with disabilities in the environment in Bulgaria. The project website will continue to be maintained and will serve as a platform for exchange of experience and more training sessions for parents of children with disabilities similar to the pilot training will be carried out.
Summary of bilateral results