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Description
DARE project addresses the service gap for 16.400 people with disabilities (PD) from the residential system who receive services not fully adapted to their priority needs. These respond to basic needs and less to the independent living of these persons. The cost of living for a PD in a state run institution is at least 14.000 RON/mo. If a PD desires to live independent in the community, the government'' support ends and the legislation obstructs finding alternative solutions which set barriers to deinstitutionalization. Project''s beneficiaries are PD who decide to take charge for their lives and build their future with specialized support for their needs. DARE is aligned with the objectives of the 2021 – 2027 National Strategy on the rights of PD and includes: streamlining the existing standards and legislation (OG 82/2019) for independent living in a protected environment; development of a new service – Supervised independent living in the community. DARE proposes a shift in the paradigm of PD based on empowerment which moves the focus from a life guided by bureaucratic institutions to one driven by resilience, responsibility and decision making in which PD take charge of their lives (pay rent, utilities, complete household activities, prepare food and organize their days in a responsible way). The main activities are: streamlining legislation through comparative analysis and social diagnosis, leveraging partners’ experiences, engagements with PD and liaison with decision makers; pilot the new service for 12 months to assess the impact of the supervised independent living component on the PD through social inclusion and equity lenses. The new service can provide a safety net for those people searching for autonomy and a life lived in the community. DARE also provides an opportunity to diversify organizational capacities through training, know-how transfer, coaching, enhanced leadership and advocacy in the benefit of people with disabilities.
Summary of project results
The project was a national advocacy initiative aimed at a multi-stakeholder approach to simplify and improve legislation and coordinate resources in the field of promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities for sustainable social inclusion, independent living in the community, increasing their capacity and participation in decision-making that affects their lives.
The project was implemented by four organizations, three of them Romanian organizations, with great experience in the field of promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities: Pro ACT Suport Association, FARA Foundation, Speranța Empowerment Foundation, while the fourth organization, International Organization for Democracy and Human Rights from Norway is an organization with experience in promoting human rights.
The project addressed the gap in the continuum of services for people with disabilities (PD), addressed both to people with disabilities in the residential system and to those who are at risk of (re)institutionalization. Whether they are disabled people who have gone through the experience of institutionalization and decide to build their destiny in the community, or whether they are disabled people living in the community, they need individualized support adapted to their needs, for the development of autonomy and the ability to responsibly build a life in the community. The beneficiaries of the project were PD who decide to build their destiny with individualized support adapted to their needs and DARE project aligned with the objectives of the National Strategy 2021-2027 regarding PD rights and had two directions: the flexibility of the regulatory standards for the functioning of social services such as Sheltered Housing and Center for Independent Living (Annexes 1 and 2 of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Order no. 82/2019) and the introduction of a new service - the Supervised Independent Living Service (STIS).
The main activities of the project consisted in: simplification of national legislation, comparative analysis of legislation, social diagnosis, capitalizing on partners'' experience, consultations with people with disabilities and connecting them with decision-makers; 12-month piloting of a continuum of PD services by adding supervised independent living to address service gaps and increase PD resilience, social inclusion and reducing inequities. The project also contributed to the diversification of organizational skills through training, exchange of experiences, coaching, leadership and joint advocacy actions.
The DARE project proposed a paradigm shift in PD life, from a life governed by the rigors of the institution, to a responsible one, where PDs live in the community, pay their rent, utilities, maintain their homes, cook and organize their lives and schedules and benefit from help when and for the aspects where it deems necessary.
In terms of results, the project aimed at: the development of a social diagnosis report and legislative comparative analysis in the field of the protection and promotion of PD rights, the review of LP and CPVI standards, the creation of 4 DAREnet podcasts, the development of the piloting methodology and standard for the new STIS proposed service , 15 people with disabilities piloted the newly developed service, STIS, for 12 months in 4 locations: Bucharest, Timișoara, Suceava and Popești Leordeni. 4 meetings with PD and 3 meetings with authorities and other NGOs took place in order to carry out the diagnosis and revision of the Sheltered Housing (LP) and Center for Independent Living (CPVI) standards.
A document containing the principles of a Participatory Management Model with the involvement of beneficiaries was developed, as well as a public policy document containing information on the review of standards and the results of the STIS piloting, along with suggestions on the reconfiguration of the system of social services offered to people with disabilities. Three public debates were also organized on the STIS standard, in Bucharest, Timisoara and Suceava. 15 NGOs participated in the training on Advocacy, Leadership and Communication, they in turn facilitated 15 public debate sessions on leadership and advocacy. 44 focus groups were also held to monitor progress and evaluate the impact of the project, with at least 264 people involved - NGO representatives, local authorities, professionals, people with disabilities, specialists from partner organizations.
Summary of bilateral results
The relationship with the partner was a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding, communication was prompt, the actions carried out were in accordance with those in the partnership agreement. The contribution of the Norwegian partner, the International Organization for Democracy and Human Rights - IODHR, was essential in the bilateral workshop and the training session on leadership, advocacy and communication, where it presented the Norwegian model for addressing the issue of people with disabilities - legislation, services, challenges, facilities, benefits, good practices, responsible institutions, accessibility, employment of persons with disabilities, dynamics of population awareness regarding persons with disabilities, representation of the NGO sector in the disability field, aspects of leadership and advocacy. The partner also brought added value to the project management process, being part of the project''s coordination committee, promoting the project''s results on its own communication channels. In multiple situations, the partner facilitated access to useful information and resources for the preparation of materials for the bilateral workshop and the training session on leadership, advocacy and communication, participated in the online meetings of the project coordination committee and contributed to the organization of the final event such as and the elaboration of the public policy document.