Project summary

    The project will work with PwDs in a single institution in the Strumica region along with DPOs, service providers and the private sector from that region, to develop models of education, employment, social and health services to facilitate independent living of PwDs. Through this approach, tailored models, addressing the needs of the targeted individuals in one institution, as representatives of PwDs, will be developed and will be included in national policies.

Activities

    More specifically, by adapting protocols, guidelines, training modules to ensure accessibility and acceptability of services for PwDs, barriers to existing services will be removed and the attainment of highest possible level of services for PwDs will be sought. The project seeks to improve acceptance and inclusion of PwDs in their local community by addressing stigma and harmful social norms and promote attitude changes, including at the level of families.

Expected Results:

• Children and adults with disabilities benefit from an improved system of support that enables them to leave closed residential institutions and pursue independent lives in the community
• Community-based services are developed and individual employment plans prepared to assist adults from the Banja Bansko in reintegrating into society.
• Training on rights-based, gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory services for sexual and reproductive health is provided to improve healthcare provision and better respond to gender-based violence in the Strumica region
• Training is delivered to education staff in the Strumica region to enable them to design and provide inclusive education programs for children with disabilities
• A professional community of practice on inclusive education is established
• Training tools are developed and training is delivered to foster families to improve the care provided to children with disabilities
• The capacity of persons with disabilities to advocate for their rights is increased, and persons with disabilities find greater acceptance in their local communities
• Awareness-raising initiatives, including training manuals for DPOs, on understanding their rights and mapping of opportunities for alternative (non-institutional) care for better inclusion in the society are implemented
• Support mechanisms are designed for biological and foster families to better respond to the different needs of male and female children with disabilities while ensuring a focus on social inclusion in line with the CRPD
• Good practices for social inclusion and integrated support including access to non-discriminatory, gender-responsive health and social protection services, inclusive education and inclusive labor market are documented
• Support is provided to care-givers in biological and foster families to improve the quality of care for children and adults with disabilities