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Description
Through many years of working with people with disabilities, we have observed worsening social isolation as people with disabilities age, leading to social, financial, and cultural exclusion. Isolation and exclusion also have implications for those around them, parents and siblings, and lack of institutional support exacerbates the problem. Our diagnosis of the situation and needs of children and young people with disabilities in 2018-19 revealed that there are no bodies in our county working to prevent social isolation of children and young people with disabilities and their parents and siblings.The project envisages comprehensive measures to mitigate the effects of vulnerability of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.We have planned therapeutic workshops (art therapy, drama therapy, assistance with communication) for two groups in this age group of people with intellectual disabilities and excursion workshops on becoming independent for the older group. We will organize for parents psychotherapy workshops and training on creating the future of people with disabilities. Siblings can attend psychotherapy workshops and we will also make possible one-on-one psychological consultations for families. We will also train volunteers to help with our activities. We will organize a trip to integrate the groups participating in the project and a meeting between local authorities and parents. As self-advocates, the parents will provide more information about the problems of their families.The quality of life of sixteen families of people with disabilities will improve, and a group of sixteen parents will be trained to act as self-advocates.The project is intended for people with intellectual disabilities (group of ten young people and adults, and six children), their parents, carers, and siblings in the county of Przemysł.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the problem of increasing social and cultural exclusion of young people with intellectual disabilities from the Przemyśl district. Exclusion also affects the immediate environment, parents and siblings, and the lack of institutional support exacerbates the problem. People with disabilities face numerous barriers to accessing services, their health and education outcomes are poorer and their poverty rate is higher than that of non-disabled people. Healthcare facilities and professionals are often unable to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
The project provided therapeutic workshops in art therapy, drama therapy and aided communication for 2 age groups of people with intellectual disabilities. The older group also took part in empowerment workshops. Parents and siblings had the opportunity to participate in psychotherapeutic workshops and training on planning for the future of people with disabilities. Families also had access to individual psychological counselling. The project also included an integration trip that brought together project participants, including children and young people with intellectual disabilities, their families and volunteers. A meeting between parents and local authorities provided an opportunity to present the challenges they face on a daily basis.
The project resulted in an improved quality of life for 16 families. Participants gained greater communication skills, self-esteem, independence and agency. The project promoted interpersonal relationships and prepared parents for self-advocacy activities, providing them with both therapeutic and emotional support.