My Social Responsibility

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Respective documents of Latvia and Lithuania indicates several weaknesses in social integration of people with disabilities. Social rehabilitation (particularly social integration), common quality of social services, environmental accessibility and educational level of people employed in social sector are recognized as insufficient. Mostly environmental accessibility mismatches with present demands. Awareness about needs of specific groups and possible solutions of their problems is not satisfactory. Mentioned gaps can create a basis for developing discrimination and unequal attitude. As Latvia and Lithuania are neighbors with regular tourist exchange, inhabitants and workers movement, similar integration possibilities and problems, it is important to develop joint social services useful for people of both sides. Goal of the project:To promote equal approach practicing and social integration of people with disabilities. Sub-objectives are to evaluate/compare situations on accessibility of social services and social integration, to educate professionals, to develop and pilot new joint social services, to change/adapt infrastructure, to train and consult representatives of different organizations, to use Universal design principles as tool and to provide broad society information on project subject. There are 8 Latvian and 5 Lithuanian partners involved. 2 partners are regional level, 10 - municipalities or their organizations and 1- nongovernmental organization. Project includes explorative, educating, environment adapting, new social services developing, experience exchanging, information distributing and also existing social service quality and accessibility improving activities. All activities will contribute to development of sustainable community and forming attractive living environment. Both new social services require investments in infrastructure. It will also provide direct investment in realization of human rights, Article 19 of “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, tasks 1 and 3 of “Latvia’s programme 2009-2013 of social care service development”, Article 24 of Lithuania’s “National Programme for Social Integration of People with Disabilities 2003-2012”, strategic goal 1 of “Kurzeme planning region social service development programme 2011-2018”, People with disabilities as main target group will gain 2 new joint social services, professionals’ and society awareness on their needs, adapted environment and possibilities for better social integration. Employees at social sector will be trained to understand needs and integration opportunities of people with disabilities and also will learn about Universal design as important tool for promoting integration. Municipalities will have improved public infrastructure, get new social service and its providers. Regions will get database on social services, improved capacity of each involved partner/organization/person and more sustainable society.

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