More information
Description
The aim of the project is to increase the impact in society of one of the most vulnerable groups in society, those of the blind and visually impaired and raise the public awareness and understanding of people with eyesight disabilities. In the course of the project the following activities take place:
- Empowering of organisations representing blind and partially seeing people in policy development and decision-making;
- Improving their communication, marketing and engagement skills;
- Support peer communication and cooperation, participation in community activities;
- Improve social entrepreneurship in organisations that represent blind and partially seeing people.
Summary of project results
The project was deemed important to foster greater awareness and understanding of blind and visually impaired individuals within civil society through positive communication. It aimed to enhance collaboration between various societal groups and organizations representing individuals with visual impairments. Additionally, the project sought to involve community members, increase their participation, and improve the visibility of people with visual impairments.
The initiative also focused on strengthening the operational capacity of North Estonian Blind Union and raising awareness among its staff. Through this project, the organization aimed to contribute to policy development by engaging visually impaired people into policy decisions affecting them through collaborative efforts.
The project encompassed a variety of activities aimed at fostering collaboration, raising awareness, and improving services for visually impaired individuals. Key activities included:
Engagement with Politicians and Stakeholders: A roundtable was organized to establish cooperation with politicians, alongside meetings with Tallinn''s deputy mayor and the Minister of Social Protection to discuss sustainable funding models for organizations supporting visually impaired people.
Community Awareness and Fundraising Events: The project featured an educational charity festival, "PIME," attracting over 300 visitors and raising significant funds through donations and sales of handicrafts made by disabled individuals. Additional events included experience-based activities like "Dark Bar" and "Adventures with Blindfolds," allowing participants to understand the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals.
Such activities also led to the cooperation with the Tallinn City Theatre that produced a play where majority of the cast were blind. To prepare for the play, workshops were organized by the Project Promoter for actors preparing to play the blind.
Specialized Rehabilitation Services: The partner organization, the Rehabilitation Center for Visually Impaired People, developed service descriptions for roles such as social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists, as well as safety and cleaning training programs.
Publications and Media Efforts: The podcast "Simply Blind" produced 11 episodes and one special, garnering positive feedback and increasing visibility. A process was also established for creating newsletters, which engaged the community further.
Collaboration with Businesses and Mentors: Partnerships were built with enterprises and sponsors through efforts like creating a LinkedIn account for the organization and attending the Impact Day event for social enterprises. This also included workshops on organizational management and entrepreneurship to improve communication and sustainability.
Professional Consultations and IT Improvements: Experts such as marketing and financial consultants provided valuable guidance for message dissemination and nonprofit management. IT specialists improved website security, added a newsletter subscription option, and updated the online presence.
Training and Knowledge Sharing: Training programs were developed for local and national social workers, offering an introduction to the rehabilitation needs of visually impaired individuals. Two workshops were also held with leaders from organizations for visually impaired people across Estonia to develop sustainable funding models.
These activities significantly increased community involvement, fostered new partnerships, and raised awareness about the challenges and capabilities of visually impaired individuals.
The project contributed to the development and sustainability of the Estonian Blind Union (PPÜ) and its partners. One of the most notable outcomes was the increase in organizational capacity. Employees enhanced their skills, while leadership teams became more aware of effective financial management and marketing strategies. The continued statutory support from the Tallinn Social and Health Board also proved essential for maintaining PPÜ’s activities.
New partnerships were established during the project with various IT, marketing and creative industry professionals. These connections expanded the network of support and opened opportunities for further engagement.
Social media visibility improved considerably as PPÜ’s Facebook page gained over 200 new followers, and its Instagram account surpassed 400 followers. The creation of the Facebook group “Blind and Visually Impaired Handicraft Masters,” which now includes more than 250 members, further supported the dissemination of messages and promotion of products, enhancing the organization’s outreach.
The project also strengthened the Estonian Blind Union’s role as a key advocacy partner for visually impaired individuals. Through active collaboration with member organizations and the Ministry of Social Affairs, PPÜ solidified its position in representing the interests of the visually impaired community.
A critical achievement of the project was the improvement of information sharing about visually impaired individuals and the rehabilitation services available to them. The Rehabilitation Center for Visually Impaired People (NIRK) enhanced teamwork among specialists, facilitated knowledge exchange, and produced detailed materials on services. Additionally, NIRK’s website was significantly improved, becoming a valuable resource for specialists in the field by offering comprehensive service descriptions and opportunities.
Finally, the project played an essential role in raising public awareness about visually impaired individuals and the Tondi Activity Center within Estonian civil society. This helped improve visibility, foster understanding, and create stronger community connections, ensuring that the needs and contributions of visually impaired individuals are better recognized and supported.