Results of the Handicap International 2005 Award of good practice of community based service for persons with disabilities in South East Europe.

The jury that made the final selection among the short listed applications was composed of three persons with international experience and expertise from the field of disability services;

Mr. Adolf Ratzka, founder of the Independent Living movement in Sweden and research economist specialized in accessibility of the built environment

Mrs. Solveig Graner, consultant in Community based rehabilitation with direction on participatory processes and public health with international and national experiences in Sweden

Ms. Charlotte Axelsson, consultant in disability services and quality standards for Handicap International in South East Europe and the Middle East

The jury’s decision of the four winners of the 2005 award is:

1.

4000€

The organization that demonstrated the best achievement in all criteria considered is DODIR, the Croatian Association of deaf-blind persons who provides assistance and support for persons with deaf-blind challenges in education, sign language training, self-advocacy, information and exchange opportunities and lobbying for legal rights. The jury’s motivation for the winner is:

“DODIR is an organization that is dedicated to work towards a society which is based on diversity. With its excellent achievement in its 11 years of existence they have developed an extensive network of partners in the community, influenced policy changes for the improved status of persons with disabilities in Croatia, made accessible educational institutions for person with deaf-blindness challenges and promotes the image of their members as equal citizens of the community”

 

2.

2000€

The organization that demonstrated a particular strength in partnership approach and policy changes is PORAKA, the Republic Centre for support of persons with intellectual disabilities in Macedonia. PORAKA ensures several structures providing daily support to persons with intellectual disabilities for the training of daily life skills, education and integration. They also work on awareness rising in the community, information to their members and advocacy towards the authorities. The jury’s motivation for the winner is:

“PORAKA, working to strengthen the voices of one of the most under represented groups in the community, has reached considerable achievements through advocating for the right to access support services at community level, in partnership with the Government of Macedonia and other civil society groups of the country”

 

3.

2000€

The organization that demonstrated a particular strength of promoting the opportunities for self-determination in daily life in the community is the Muscle Dystrophy Association in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro who provides support for their members in living independently with the adequate support, to access universities, organizing appropriate transportation, providing enabling equipment, and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities within different networks. The jury’s motivation for the winner is:

“The Muscle Dystrophy Association in Belgrade has since its creation 32 years ago succeeded in transforming itself into a professional organization, promoting and providing support for the self-determination in daily life for their members, especially in education and employment. The efforts of the organization together with their partners has made the institutions of higher education in Serbia a place of more diversity and with opportunities to explore the full potential of all youths in the country”

 

4.

2000€

The organization that demonstrated a particular strength in the involvement and active participation of users in the leadership, planning and evaluation of the service is PUZ –Association of Parents of children with special needs in Croatia. The organization is providing support to children and their families in the field of access to mainstream education, access to rehabilitation and delivers information and opportunities of peer counseling. The jury’s motivation for the winner is:

“PUZ, an association that started out as a self-help group for parents of children with different types of disabilities has during its 10 years of active work promoted the importance of children and their families as driving forces to improve their own situation. Through a wide range of services and activities offered by the association, children and their parents have the opportunity to decide through a range of choices, the life they wish to build”

 

Jury’s special price of 750€:

750€

The jury wished to highlight one innovative initiative of an organization that is promoting a professional change among the traditional scope of practice of ‘defectology’ in the region. This encouragement and special price is given to Veliki Mali – initiative for professional assistance to children with disabilities in Pancevo in Serbia and Montenegro. Veliki Mali is working in the active implementation of inclusive education for children with disabilities in the municipality of Pancevo. The jury’s motivation is:

“Veliki Mali, through the team of young and motivated professionals, are challenging the traditional approach of special and institutionalized education by promoting the inclusive education and being active directly in the mainstream schools and paving the way of a new role of ‘defectologist” and special education teachers as support and advisors to the mainstream education system in order that they are open to all children regardless of their differences”