About the project
Mobility and Independent Living for youth with disabilities in Romania
Disability should not mean isolation. Young people with disabilities deserve and can have a fulfilling life!
Project funded with the financial support of RO10-CORAI program, program funded through 2009-2014 EEA Grants and managed by the Romanian Social Development Fund.
Between January 20, 2015 and October 31, 2016, Motivation Romania Foundation, in partnership with Special Olympics Romania Foundation implements the project “Mobility and Independent Living for youth with disabilities in Romania”. The projects aims to contribute to the social and economic inclusion of young people with physical and intellectual disabilities in our country by creating a system of integrated services.
Who can receive services in the project?
Young people with physical and developmental disabilities, aged between 16 and 29 years, coming from rural, poor or isolated areas, with limited access to health services, education and employment.
What we offer?
- Mobility and Independent Living Caravan in 10 rural areas from different counties, to provide mobility equipment and services for people with physical and developmental disabilities. The activities take place under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team consisting of independent living trainer, physiotherapist, nurse and wheelchair technician.
- Independent living training sessions for wheelchair users. These trainings include: developing wheelchair skills and basic skills for self-service, personalized physical therapy program, counseling and information on the rights of people with disabilities, and on how to prevent medical complications associated with the disability.
- Call center for information and advice for people with disabilities on services available in their community. 0800 030 762, telephone line available free of charge in any national landline and mobile network, from Monday to Friday between 9:00 – 16.00 AM.
- Camps and competitions at national and regional level for young people with physical and developmental disabilities.
The need to create such a system of integrated services was identified by Motivation Romania and Special Olympics Romania through years of service provision for people with disabilities in our country.
Official statistics show that at 09.30.2014, in Romania, there were 710,179 people with disabilities (Ministry of Labor, Family, and Social Protection).
According to World Health Organization, young people with developmental disabilities face major health disparities and more unmet needs compared to the general population: “We recognize that people with intellectual disabilities are often disadvantaged in their health care from childhood onwards. They have greater health needs yet they encounter major barriers in gaining access to appropriate and effective health promotion and care”(Zsuzsanns Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe). Regarding the situation of young people with physical disabilities in Romania, it is important to remember that “one in five people who needs a wheelchair, has no access to such an equipment. Public funding covers only between 16-30% of the demand for wheelchairs (Academic Society of Romania, 2010). In the absence of an appropriate mobility equipment, people with disabilities face isolation at home, as well as death threatening medical complications.
The content of this website does not necessarily represent the official position of the RSDF and 2009-2014 EEA Grants. The entire responsibility for the accuracy and consistency of the information presented on the website belongs to its initiators.
For official information on EEA Grants please visit www.eeagrants.org or www.granturi-corai.ro
