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Description
Through the project we create the premises for reducing the exclusion and marginalization of a person with autism-ASD in Dobrogea. The families and people with ASD with whom we communicate, accuse this exclusion due to the lack or inaccessibility of the local support that these people need to become independent and active in the community. The main causes are the non-involvement/low involvement of the authorities, institutions responsible in creating capacities/solutions, services for people with ASD and non-existence of a civic force to actively militate for the rights and interests of the autism community in the area. The project is necessary to increase the capacity of authorities, other relevant actors and people with ASD and families in Tulcea and Constanta counties to understand the issue, to communicate, collaborate, find local solutions to increase inclusion and respect for rights. Will be organized information/training activities for young people with ASD and parents in self-representation advocacy, will be create and offered tools and resources for self-advocacy, but also group advocacy. The parents association that will be set up, will have the support in her first steps of activism for the rights of people with autism and the establishment of partnerships in the region. For the authorities, other relevant entities we organize information activities, autism awareness, collaboration, involvement in finding solutions to the needs and shortcomings resulting from the participatory analysis process organized with these actors. Will be also created an analysis document with the solutions proposed by the participants throughout this process. The newly established association will promote it, so the proposed solutions will become budgeted measures/actions in the county and local development strategies in Dobrogea. AUTISM ROMANIA- has 20 years of expertise in autism advocacy, CRC has experience in the process of civic participation/advocacy in this region.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to reduce the exclusion and marginalization of people with autism (ASD) in Dobrogea by raising community and authority awareness regarding the right to equal opportunities for a dignified life. It sought to enhance the capacity of authorities, relevant stakeholders, and young people with ASD and their families in Tulcea and Constanța to find local solutions that support people with autism in becoming as independent and active as possible within the community.
Through the project were organized training and information activities for young people and parents (over 30 participants), created resources such as a directory of local services and legislation, advocacy courses, counseling in self-advocacy and an online assistance line, the “Dobrogea Autism Helpline,” as well as a self-advocacy toolkit for children and parents. These were designed to empower them to become more informed and civically active. It was also established an association of parents from Dobrogea, which received resources for organizational development, activism, and mentorship to become a representative voice in the region. It was conducted awareness-raising events and activities about the needs of the autistic community, involving authorities and institutions from the two counties in a process of mapping resources and needs and in debates on these needs and possible solutions for greater awareness. A brief analysis document of the regional situation was created, with solutions proposed by participants. The newly established Association promoted this document, aiming for it to be endorsed by authorities and translated into budgeted measures within the county and local development strategies in Dobrogea to improve the quality of life of autistic individuals. Despite challenges, particularly in engaging authorities, the project contributed to greater awareness of the needs and priorities of autistic individuals, especially young people and their families. Involving young people with autism was also a challenge; despite efforts to inform and promote the initiative, it was unable to identify any young autistic person in Dobrogea interested in taking self-advocacy courses or participating in practical learning activities even if 3 young people signed up. Among the 30 participating parents, only a small percentage (25%) remained active throughout the project. We have created valuable resources for all stakeholders involved, which will ensure the project’s sustainability and serve as a foundation for the advocacy efforts of the Autism Dobrogea Association.
In terms of results and effects, the posts from social media made more than 52.444 people aware of the right to equal opportunities for a dignified life. 22 parents from Constanta and Tulcea responded to the questionnaire regarding the establishment of the new organization and 6 parents attended the courses dedicated to the effective creation of the necessary documents for the establishment of the new organization. Also, the level of knowledge and understanding of the Autism phenomenon in Tulcea and Constanta counties has increased, and various actions have taken place in order to involve community members: events held on the occasion of Autism Day, discussions with local authorities in order to increase inclusion.