Russian Project to Train Disabled Youth Activists
Two Disability World articles in this issue feature success stories from the Russian empowerment project to train "Disabled Youths for Social Change." The project is run by Perspektiva, a Moscow based disability rights NGO, funded by the British Department for International Development, through the Charities Aid Foundation. Perspektiva representative Denise Roza wrote the following report on the project.
The overall goal of the project was to increase the participation of disabled young persons in the civic and social life of their communities. In addition the project aimed to develop cross-disability linkages between youths with disabilities in the community; and to strengthen the capacity of local disability and professional organizations to successfully provide services that meet the needs of disabled youths in the community.
Throughout the project, disabled youth activists from two cities-Togliatti and Moscow--received approximately 15 days of training to prepare them to lead project activities. While in their communities they led outreach, public education and advocacy activities. They led peer support groups-still a very new concept in Russia-for other disabled youths, concentrating on disability awareness and disability rights. For other members of the community, e.g., parents, social workers and students, the youths led trainings on disability awareness.
The advocacy activities consisted of leading community change projects designed to impact a specific issue, such as accessible transportation. In both cities one way chosen to raise awareness or advocating for rights was to organize public rallies. In both cities these rallies elicited considerable media coverage and support from the community. For example, in Togliatti as a result of the advocacy projects, three buses with lifts were purchased and are now running on the city streets. In Moscow, accessibility legislation was finally passed by the Duma.
Other project outcomes included the personal growth and development among the youth activists in each of the regions. Their successes and effectiveness were acknowledged by older disability leaders, professionals and government workers-they are now perceived as future community leaders. The commitment and actions of the leaders also sparked the desire of other young disabled people to live more actively, to take part in their communities.
The Disabled Youth Activists became skilled at organizing and leading seminars and other project events and in analyzing their work and its impact on others. The project once again demonstrated that when young disabled people are given the opportunities to have a responsible role in their communities, they respond with energy, commitment and an ability to assist others to leader fuller, more independent lives.
Also see British Project Supports Independent Living Training for Russian Youths
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