Description
In Romania the persons with visual handicap have insufficient access to information and occupation resources. The objectives of the project is the development of the accessibility to informational environment and occupation resources for blind people and to increase the awareness of the public authorities and civil society concerning the problems that confront the persons with visual handicap. The project is expected to create an assistant library, to launch a specialized web site, to found a protected unit, to realize a Braille and audio Guide for active participation (500 pieces), to organize 4 workshops and a radio campaign concerning the problems that confront persons with visual handicap. The key target group is 500 persons with visual handicap and 100 representatives of public authorities and civil society.The project is proposed by Philantropia Severin Association in Partnership with Blind People Association.
Summary of project results
The project addressed visually impaired persons and its main aim was making the informational environment accessible for them. A library for visually impaired persons, with Braille and audiobooks was created within the project. A special website that includes an online library was developed as well. The special achievement of the project is the programme „Volunteer Away”, which attracted young people from all around Romania as volunteers that created audiobooks for visually impaired people. The informational resources created were promoted through a national radio campaign and through the national branches of the Blind People Association from Romania . Another objective of the project was to create a protected unit and 2 jobs. Now there are 2 women with visual disabilities employed as workers. 4 seminars with 116 representatives of public authorities, civil society and mass media were organised; they resulted in proposals for solving the problems of persons with visual disabilities. A "Guide for active participation on social life of the persons with visual disabilities" was developed and distributed to 500 beneficiaries. The direct discussions with the persons with visual disabilities, the debates during the seminars, the media presentations and the volunteers involvement demonstrated that this project was necessary and welcomed in community. There is a clear need for continuing initiatives such as the activity of the protected unit, the support for beneficiaries relating to institutions, or the activity of the website and the library.
Summary of bilateral results