We are breaking down barriers across borders

In early April 2012, the MOST Association launched an international partnership project entitled „Beyond Borders: Fighting Barriers”, which aims to improve the effectiveness of existing techniques for the socialof people with intellectual disabilities, as well as to enhance the vocational skills of the 40 project participants and enable them to gain their first work experience. The project will run until July 2014 and is being implemented by the MOST Association for the Support of Non-Governmental Organisations, the „Razem” Association for the Support of People with Disabilities and Their Communities from Rybnik, and the „Nadzieja” Association of Families of People with Disabilities from Ruda Śląska.

The project will involve 40 people with intellectual disabilities and those with reduced intellectual capacity who are not in employment (20 from Rybnik and 20 from Ruda Śląska). Project participants will benefit from a comprehensive support programme – ranging from an assessment of their individual potential and support from a careers adviser, to participation in activation workshops designed to prepare them for employment in line with their planned career development path. The project also provides for the acquisition of work experience through placements and work experience with employers, as well as the performance of tasks assigned to participants under contracts for specific work and civil law contracts. In addition, 600 hours of supplementary classes have been planned for participants, aimed at teaching the specialist skills required for specific occupations. In total, there will be 600 hours of career guidance, 600 hours of specialist counselling, 600 hours of supplementary classes and 3,360 hours of workshop sessions.

The project will also extend its support to the closest relatives of people with disabilities by organising regular meetings between parents and carers and therapists, with the aim of explaining the stages of the project’s implementation and listening to their needs and views. Parents and carers will also have the opportunity to take part in motivational workshops and skills-building workshops.

Through collaboration with the German project partner, GSE Gesellschaft für Soziale Dienstleistungen Essen mbH, there will be an exchange of information, knowledge and experience between the partners, which will enable the adaptation of German solutions in the field of social and vocational activation of people with intellectual disabilities, to Polish conditions. As part of the project, proposals for ready-made solutions will be developed, which will then be disseminated amongst those involved on a daily basis in the vocational activation of people with disabilities. A plan for implementing the changes will be drawn up in two Polish institutions. The German partner will also implement the proposals within its own organisation.

Those working on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities who are interested in the details of the project can obtain further information by calling 32 757 66 37 or by emailing: agnieszka@mostkatowice.pl. Contact person: Agnieszka Budzyńska

The project is being implemented thanks to co-financing from European Union funds under the Human Capital Operational Programme, Priority VII: Promotion of social integration, Measure 7.2 „Combating exclusion and strengthening the social economy sector”, Sub-measure 7.2.1 „Professional and social activation of people at risk of social exclusion”.