Description
Without intervention, especially in severe cases, a child with autism is a person with disabilities, permanently isolated and socially excluded. The project aims to develop initiatives for inequity reduction and for combating social exclusion of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including Roma, in schools, community services and labour market. Also, the project aims to conduct a study on discrimination and social exclusion of ASD, including Roma, to facilitate the creation of informal action groups of stakeholders at local level able to create action plans and recommendations, to produce and test a number of 3 tool-kits (guidelines for combating discrimination), to test them in 3 community services, and to train 300 professionals from community schools, social services and labour agencies in using the toolkit in their daily practice. The project findings and toolkit piloting will be widely disseminated through a national conference and a national information campaign.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to develop initiatives for inequities reduction and for combating social exclusion of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder with focus on Roma children and providing community services and integration on labour market. The project was implemented in Bucharest, West and South-Est Region with two NGOs and three local institutions as partners. In order to enhance the impact of the project, the promotor had received additional funds through PLUS and the promotor had implemented supplementary activities. The promotor elaborated a study on discrimination and social exclusion of ASD children and the results were disseminated at national level. Based on this initial study the promotor elaborated a toolkit for combating social exclusion of people with ASD and Roma people. This instrument was used by experts in the field of child protection, professionals from public authorities and teachers. The toolkit was piloted in a school, a disadvantages community and an employment agencies. The toolkit was developed in collaboration with the partner from Island which facilitate a study visit to NGO’s that delivered social services to disadvantage children. The toolkit users highly appreciated the applicability of this instrument in identifying the discrimination cases. All project indicators were achieved and exceeded such as number of direct beneficiaries, children involved in project activities from 75 estimated to 310. The project was also focused on training program for teachers, experts in providing social services and experts in employment. The promotor also exceeded the indicator on training program.
Summary of bilateral results
A study visit was organized in Iceland, for 6 persons who participated at a training in Iceland schools, for a better understanding of working with children affected by autism. The need for this action was identified within the training courses and workshops with teachers during the project implementation, in order to implement direct activities for inclusion in summer schools, using the Icelandic model. It was a five days visit, with participation of teachers who will work as trainers for others. After the study visit, promoting and informing events were organized, addressed to school community representatives, media, local authorities representatives, parents and NGOs and the result was mainly partnerships created and three local good practice exchange.