Motivation Romania Foundation, in partnership with the Segoia Association, is implementing the “Advocacy for community access to wheelchair users” project, with the financial support of Active Citizens Fund Romania, financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the SEE Grants 2014-2021. The project will take place between January 2021 – December 2022.
The project aims to aid wheelchair users in directly representing themselves in the face of authority both through direct participation as well as easy to use instruments, offered by the project. At the same time, the goal is to help the inclusion of disabled people through improving the mobility and health of wheelchair users.
“Through the activities we’ve been implementing for disabled children and adults, we wish to send the message that the participants themselves can be their own ambassadors and fight for the rights they deserve. One of the options offered as part of the project is the access to the free mobile apps MotiActiv and Panoul de Bord (Control Panel). With this first step, the quality of life of wheelchair users will grow due to gaining confidence in their own abilities and through their involvement as active members of the community that they are a part of”, said Mirela Cirlan, advocacy coordinator and beneficiary support as part of Motivation Romania Foundation.
Through the MotiActiv app the project aims to reach as many wheelchair users as possible in order to help them with useful advice for their daily life. Through the contribution of the specialists from Motivation Romania Foundation, independent life instructors, physiotherapists, social assistants, multiple subjects can be addressed such as: the importance of a properly fit wheelchair, proper posture while sitting in a wheelchair, accessibility, preventing specific health problems or handling emotional issues. This app is easy to use and is meant to help wheelchair users on their journey towards an active and independent life.
“We created Panoul de Bord (Control Panel) platform to help increase the ability for citizens to represent themselves when interacting with state’s institutions, but also to help improve the social dialogue by using modern technology. We believe in an open and inclusive society, capable to create an environment in which all of its citizens can lead their life with dignity and in which we all have the means to follow our passions and to grow. This is why, through our partnership with Motivation Romania Foundation, we wish to help disabled people to create and benefit from such a society through this project”, declared Adrian Ionescu, president of the Segoia Association.
During the time the project will be taking place, various activities that will help inform and teach wheelchair users of the rights they have access to will be organized, as well as different advocacy actions along with promoting their abilities.
As part of the project, mobility and wheelchair health caravans will be organized in 15 cities across the country, which will help participants gain both information and useful skills in their day to day life, through access to one of a kind services and technology such as: testing pressure with the BodiTrack system to prevent sores, practical lessons showing how to catheterize in order to prevent urinary tract infections and testing new mobility equipment, fit for an active life and freedom of movement.
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About Active Citizens Fund Romania
The Active Citizens Fund Romania programme is funded through the EEA Grants 2014-2021. The overall objective of the Grants is to reduce economic and social disparities, and to strengthen bilateral relations between 15 beneficiary countries and the Donor States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The programme is administered by a consortium composed of Civil Society Development Foundation, Romanian Environmental Partnership Foundation, Resource Center for Roma Communities, PACT Foundation and Frivillighet Norge, acting as Fund Operator designated by FMO – Financial Mechanism Office of the EEA and Norway Grants. The objectives of the Active Citizens Fund Romania are to strengthen civil society and active citizenship and to empower vulnerable groups. With a total allocation of 46,000,000 euro, the programme pursues a long-term development of the civil society sector sustainability and capacity, stepping up its role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship and human rights, while strengthening bilateral relations with organizations from the Donor States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. For more information about the Active Citizens Fund in Romania, please go to www.activecitizensfund.ro. For more information about the EEA and Norway Grants, go to www.eeagrants.org.
About Motivation Romania Foundation
Motivation Romania Foundation is a non-profit organization, created in 1995 to support children and adults with disabilities. The services offered cover a wide range of needs, from assessment and adapted equipment for different types of mobility disabilities, to active recovery and training for independent living with a wheelchair instructor, advice for spaces accessibility and adapted sports. So far, Motivation has restored freedom of movement and hope in a fulfilled life for more than 25,800 people with disabilities in Romania. More information on www.motivation.ro.
About Segoia Association
Segoia Association is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, created in 2017, concerned with the development of civil society, promotion of democratic values, open government and citizen involvement through technology. More information on: https://segoia.ro.