2003 – EUROPEAN YEAR OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The EU Ministries for employment and social affairs on 3-rd December 2001 have proclaimed the year 2003 for “European Year of Persons with Disabilities”. During 2003, thousands events have been organized all over Europe, with unique goal to promote the rights of over 37 millions persons with disability and to raise awareness about the abuse of the basic human rights.

The Republic Center for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA, as equal member of the INCLUSION EUROPE, was involved in this wide European action. During 2003, PORAKA had undertaken activities for promotion of the European year of persons with disabilities on national and local level.

The activities that have been realized were following the spirit of 2003 – European year of persons with disability and were used to distribute the messages for non-discrimination, equal rights and inclusion of persons with intellectual disability in all areas of everyday life.

The overall aims of the proposed activities are:

1.  10 years - Anniversary of adoption of the Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities by the UN General Assembly;
2.   Promotion of the increased level of social care and protection increasing the standard and the quality of life of the persons with intellectual disability;
3.   Raising public awareness towards the rights of the persons with intellectual disability as equal citizens in the civil society;
4.   Building positive images for the needs and the opportunities of the persons with intellectual disability;
5.   Social and economic inclusion of the persons with intellectual disability in the community;
6.   Inclusion of children and young people with intellectual disability in the regular educational system;
7.   Equal approach, equal social and economic rights as basic human rights for the persons with intellectual disability;
8.   Social inclusion of the persons with intellectual disability in all areas of life and definition of priority actions;
9.   Respect of the basic rights and principles of non-discrimination and integration of persons with intellectual disability;
10.   Strengthening the collaboration between different sectors and ministries with common goal for improvement of opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities in all areas of the everyday life and their inclusion in the society;
11.   Creation of multidisciplinary strategy for integration, accessibility and expansion of social and economic opportunities for persons with intellectual disability.