An example in the Balkans

You are here: About us > Disability > International Day of Disabled People > An example in the Balkans

In partnership with INTRAC and four local organizations of people with disabilities, Handicap International is implementing the Share See (Self-Help and Advocacy for Rights and Equal opportunities in South East Europe) program in south east Europe.

A key element of the program is the implementation and monitoring of the upcoming convention. Share See believes that a strong disability movement is able to propose solutions and make the state more accountable for disabled people. The Disabled People Organizations (DPOs) involved in this project are cross-disability oriented, with an independent living approach. All are involved in advocacy work. Relying on the empowerment of DPOs, Share-SEE supports changes in the attitude of community, society and public authorities in order to create an environment where people with disabilities have equal opportunities.

The project aims to support to 250 organizations by:

• Building capacities of Disabled Peoples’ Organisations through training and consultancy
• Developing  the cross disability, cross border disability (should use another word as I am just about guessing what it means) movement
• Building a unified voice and create an advocacy force
• Campaigning for the acknowledgement of rights of people with disabilities
• Raising awareness  amongst people with disabilities and within their community
• Enforcing proper accessibility regulations in terms of buildings  and access to information
• Improving access to rehabilitation and health services
• Improving access to education and employment
• Improving and monitoring  the policies and reforms
• Developing and information system circulating relevant information link to reforms and the disability movement
• Supporting national and regional opportunities to coordinate the movement and exchange experiences
• Support to innovative initiatives in advocacy and service development through micro-grant system

Handicap International is also launching the Disability Monitor Initiative that aims at supporting local stakeholders to face challenges of the reconstruction and transition. Its objective is to monitor how local organizations, authorities, governments, and international agencies develop and support social innovation and policy reforms that promote and enable the full participation of people with disabilities.

In December 2004 will be issued the first annual report “Beyond deinstitutionalization: the unsteady transition towards an enabling system”.

More information are available on the web www.share-see.org and www.disabilitymonitor-see.org.