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Description
A study that we conducted among adults with disabilities and their relatives in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki has revealed that people with disabilities do not deal by themselves with basic business relating to bank payments, social security, or government authorities. Despite having a need for example to have control over their finances with respect to basic needs, in most cases business of this kind is dealt with by parents/carers. The poll also showed that parents of people with disabilities devote almost all of their attention and time to their children, and this frequently causes frustration, a feeling of helplessness, and a feeling that they have been left to face the problem alone. Adults with disabilities, on the other hand, feel unappreciated and are scared to become self-reliant. The project addresses the problem of adults with disabilities not being sufficiently self-reliant. We intend to provide comprehensive support in the form of modules on computer studies and cybersecurity, diet and cuisine, finance (including online banking), actively negotiating the job market, and group trips to cultural institutions. We will propose three meetings for carers concerning relaxation, recreation, and care for their health. We will also provide a Life Balance Consultant (LBC) - support at home, tailored to individual needs and difficulties of a person with disabilities. We will also issue an educational publication featuring the content provided in the individual modules. The participants in the project will be adults with disabilities and their carers in the Nowy Dwór district. Under the project, 25 people with disabilities will improve their knowledge and abilities, and their community skills, and 30 carers will learn how to resolve difficult domestic situations and provide support for self-reliance and independence of grown-up children.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the problem of social exclusion and low independence and low proficiency of adults with disabilities living in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki. The number of people with disabilities benefiting from social assistance in the city is over 400. Local diagnoses indicate that people with disabilities do not independently take care of shopping and payments, contact with public institutions and offices. These tasks, as well as daily assistance, are usually undertaken by carers, most often parents. Lack of systemic support and social norms that are not conducive to developing independence for people with disabilities lead to frustration, feelings of helplessness and loneliness. As part of the project, workshops were held for people with disabilities and their carers from the district of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki. Workshops covered topics such as computer literacy and cyber-security, dietetics and food preparation, online banking, and being active on the labour market. People with disabilities also benefited from the cultural offer of the city, taking part in trips to the theatre and cinema. Their carers took part in various workshops, including regeneration or healthy eating classes. However, the most popular among them was the Life Balance Consultant (LBC) recovery consultation. As a result of the project, 25 persons with disabilities became considerably more independent and empowered, developing their skills to cope with everyday situations and challenges, especially related to safe use of the Internet, navigating the labour market and managing a household budget, and learning to plan for the future in the absence of a carer. In addition, they developed their social and communication competences, group work or decision-making skills. At the same time, 30 carers learned to support their adult children''s independence and self-reliance and benefited from the opportunity to take care of themselves.
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