Description
The project responds to the problem of discrimination of people with disabilities in the county of Wyszków. People with disabilities encounter various forms of discrimination, including hate speech. They are ridiculed, teased, insulted with impunity, quite often in public places - also in public institutions. People with disabilities also face discrimination in relations with public services - the police, healthcare institutions, social services. As a result of the project, people with disabilities will be strengthened in their communities (empowerment, legal advice) and at least 32 members of public services will be trained (by the Partner - British Council). Project activities encompass also an integration children parade (organised in cooperation with the MaMa Foundation) and a theatrical piece shown by people who experienced violence, engaging persons who committed such violent acts (in cooperation with the Partner WOK-HUTNIK.
Summary of project results
"Disabled persons resident in the Wyszków county are exposed to discrimination, violence, and exclusion. Research carried out with Community Assistance Home beneficiaries attending proved that 75% of disabled persons experience discrimination. Local public institutions do not provide them or their families with adequate support. The organisation also found that residents of Wyszków and neighbouring areas are not sensitised to needs of disabled individuals, which makes integration considerably more difficult. The project purpose was to provide assistance to disabled persons and their families, and to integrate them with the local community. Forty-three persons were empowered (thanks to legal and/or psychological aid); representatives of key institutions and the local community of Wyszków were provided with information concerning problems experienced by disabled individuals. Assistance was provided to disabled persons and their families (a support group for 13 family members of disabled persons - 46 hours in total, and 120 hours of legal aid for 30 individuals). The experience of disabled persons-local residents was used to draft the Black and Green Discrimination Papers, which served to document the discrimination phenomenon and good practices of preventing discrimination, and to emphasise the problem itself. The issue was also discussed during a workshop for 25 representatives of institutions of key importance to disabled persons. A joint integration meeting was organised for disabled persons and young people (100 attendants in total). A theatre performance starring disabled persons was put on; it was popular with the local community, the opening night attended by 240 people, chiefly young people and representatives of authorities and non-governmental organisations. An integration town parade was organised (approximate number of participants: 400). Beneficiaries included 808 persons - project assistance direct beneficiaries, and integration-and-education activity participants. Partner organisations provided expert opinions concerning equal opportunity policies - by planning and delivering workshops for institutions (British Council Foundation), and providing appropriate theatrical performance infrastructure (“Hutnik"" Wyszków Centre of Culture)."
Summary of bilateral results