Description
To date, in Romania, there are no national strategies or programs adapted to the development needs of children with autism, visual or hearing impairments. This project aims to provide social and innovative complementary services, which will contribute to improve the quality of life and the physical and mental development of children with special needs. Through the project’s activities, we advocate for the climbing therapy as an alternative therapy for youth with special needs, among decision makers and the public opinion. For spreading the positive effects of the climbing therapy, one of our main goals is the organizational development, which consists of improving the work of climbing instructors. The project contributes to improving the life skills of 36 children with special needs, bringing the climbing therapy on the public agenda and raising awareness on the climbing benefits for people with disabilities.
Summary of project results
In Romania, children with visual or hearing impairments are enrolled in special boarding schools, which do not have the resources to prepare children beyond the school curricula. At the same time, children with autism do not have access to individualized therapies that can help them integrate into school and society. Project's aim was to provide innovative complementary services to improve the quality of life and the physical and mental development of children with special needs, advocate for the climbing therapy as an alternative therapy for youth with special needs, among decision makers and the public opinion, and improve the capacity of climbing instructors. The project contributed to improving the life skills of 46 children with special needs, bringing climbing therapy on the public agenda and raising awareness on climbing's benefits for people with disabilities. Two climbing instructors participated to an exchange experience programme in the UK, which included training on techniques and methods on climbing for persons with special needs. Upon their return, they have shared the knowledge acquired with 3 volunteers involved in the project. 46 children with different disabilities attended climbing weekly courses, learned to explore their potential, discovered trails and explored their senses and surrounding space. This activity increased their self-confidence, and helped them overcome communication barriers and integrate into a new environment. Children learned new skills, overcame their physical and mental limits by setting climbing goals, improved psycho-motor development, increased self-esteem, and got in contact with other young people. Two public events were organized to promote the project activities and raise awareness among stakeholders about innovative climbing therapy methods; through these events, the promoter advocated for public funding of sports therapy in general, and of climbing in particular. A good practice guide on climbing therapy methods was drafted and disseminated to stakeholders. The guide is a useful tool for any climbing instructor who intends to work with young people with special needs and includes recommendations for further steps towards public recognition of the climbing therapy method and its funding.
Summary of bilateral results