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Description
The aim of the project is to protect the rights of people with disabilities and to counteract discrimination against this group. As part of the project, we are creating a Regional Self-advocacy Academy – in this way we are implementing the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We are conducting workshops for leaders who will become ambassadors to promote the Convention and monitor its implementation in their local communities. In line with the principle of ''nothing about us without us'', those participating in the project will actively counter discrimination against people with disabilities (including gender discrimination). The rationale for the need for such action is set out not only by the Convention, but also by international and national instruments that have been established to protect human rights and dignity. Direct beneficiaries of the project are adults with disabilities from minimum of 6 counties and the City of Wrocław, with different education and socio-economic status. As part of the project, we run workshops for beginner Selfadvocates and advanced-level workshops. In addition, indirect beneficiaries are the communities where we implement local initiatives. The project partners are: Dom pod Orzechami supporting the project participants in the organisation of local initiatives and Fonix Sa from Norway. We are also organising a training trip to the European Forum for People with Disabilities. Thanks to the project, people with disabilities will be able to acquire and deepen their knowledge of their rights and develop the competences necessary to actively advocate for the interests of their group. Support in fulfilling the role of self-advocate will be provided to a total of 58 people. We will complement this support with coaching and individual mentoring.
Summary of project results
The project actively counteracted discrimination of people with disabilities (including gender). Including representatives of this group with lower competences in the protection of human rights and counteracting discrimination of people with disabilities, and equipping them with such tools and skills that the group of leaders selected from the most excluded environment also has its own representation, and is not constantly omitted or represented only by specialists, families or legal guardians.
1 international partnership - Establishing cooperation with the FONIX Organization. The Norwegian Partner went to Brussels together with the Grantee i Dom po Orzechami Association. The meeting was substantive and full of many discussions and exchange of experiences.
1st Regional Academy of Self-Advocacy - All groups of self-advocates completed the outline of classes and set goals, it has not been completed and renovation of a building in Wrocław.
808 hours of basic workshops were completed under RAS (66 trained OzN who acquired a new knowledge and skills necessary to actively function in the public life of the local community)
180 hours of advanced workshops within the RAS (66 trained OzNs who developed competences in participating in the functioning of civil society, including public presentation of OzN rights and their individual and group needs) - 963 hours of support from an OzN assistant who supports participants during classes and escorts and delivers classes. - 140 hours of individual coaching/mentoring were carried out for OZNs participating in RAS activities. - 9 local events conducted by OzN were carried out - - meeting informing about the project assumptions - carried out on March 9, 2023 - summary meeting - carried out on April 23, 2024 - lessons with an English teacher (100 hours) - supervision for staff (36 hours) - 12-hour burnout training - coaching training for the card - 76.5 hours - service evaluation report - strategy monitoring and evaluation report - rapoer with a lot of experience - Norwegian Partner - Facebook campaign - 7 declarations on cooperation with entities - promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in particular the value of Independent Living in dignity and freedom from discrimination and exclusion - modernization of the Foundation''s website
The achieved effects exceeded the applicant''s assumptions. RAS''s activities were noticed by the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Warsaw. Self-advocacy groups want to continue their activities. There is a visible readiness to continue working, which translates into specific actions; cooperation with the Commissioner for Human Rights, NGOs, the University of Wrocław and Zielona Góra, a team for the promotion of the UN Convention on the Rights of Human Rights and self-advocacy was established at the Foundation, consisting of self-advocates from RAS and substantive staff. Despite the end of the project, the cooperation continues. This is a visible effect due to the fact that thanks to previous projects and the current one - RAS, self-advocates were noticed and became more active on the map of their local communities. Leaders emerged in the Self-Advocate Club (4 people); 3 women, 1 man/ who want to establish an ordinary association to continue the work of the Club. Formalities related to this are in progress. The changes are visible through the continuation of activities despite the completed project. The applicant still sees the need to provide support for self-advocacy activities, despite the achieved effects, in Poland these are still niche activities, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is known and implemented very superficially, to groups most excluded due to the specificity of disability in many places the rights to express one''s needs and have them met are denied. In the name of the good of these people, the way they function in everyday life is imposed on them, excluding them from the decision-making process as to the form of support they are offered. The applicant sees the sense in educational activities, anti-discrimination activities of self-advocates, and their promotion of the value of respect for dignity and the ability of people with disabilities to function independently.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian Fonix SA Organization is an organization that conducts a wide range of activities aimed at activating OzN and advocacy activities. It is a source of knowledge and inspiration. As part of the project, the Norwegian Partner shared its experience in the field of self-determination of people with disabilities. The study visit resulted in the opportunity to get to know a broader perspective on Self-advocacy for both the Fonix Organization and the House under the Nuts and the Foundation. The knowledge gained allowed people with disabilities to develop and gain energy for further activities in the environment. The role of the Partner was huge. The experience gained allowed to introduce better quality of service and to develop cooperation. Cooperation within this project allowed to develop common visions. The Eudajmonia Foundation and the FONIX Organization remain in contact and are open to further cooperation if such an opportunity arises.