The Councils of municipalities Kumanovo, Vinica and Ohrid unanimously adopted the Local Disability Action Plans

In the past three months, Republic center for support of persons with intellectual disability – PORAKA has continued with the realization of the program CITY AND DISABILTY – creation of local disability action plans in the municipalities Kumanovo, Vinica and Ohrid.

In the fourth phase of the program, PORAKA in partnership with Handicap International – South East Europe organized three workshops in each of the three municipalities. At the workshops, members of the working groups were directly developing the local action plans having opportunity to use the knowledge gained during the training sessions.
Local action plans were developed in accordance with the international model “Agenda 22”, based on the principles of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. During the workshops, members of the working groups determined the priorities and the needs mostly in the areas, which are under the responsibility of the local self-governments, but also exploring possibilities for actions in the areas which are not decentralized – areas where the local communities can contribute with local actions and lobby to the central authorities.
Members of the working groups gave theirs contribution in the creation of the local action plans. Proposed activities were planned in order to be realistic and achievable, in accordance with the resources of the local community. For each action, working groups defined its goal, tasks, implementing institution, time frame and source of financing.  
After the workshops, PORAKA organized presentation of the local action plans and public debates with the Counsellors from the Councils of the three municipalities and with other local stakeholders. A positive feedback and remarks were received form the participants regarding the prepared strategic documents. After the debates, final workshops were organized in each of the three municipalities, were the working groups finalized the text of the draft – local action plans. At these workshops, the members of the groups received certificates for participation and contribution in the program. 
As a result of the implementation of the program, the Council of municipality Vinica on 21st June 2010 unanimously adopted the Local Disability Action Plan - Vinica 2010 – 2013. On 23rd June 2010 the Council of municipality Kumanovo unanimously adopted the Local Disability Action Plan - Kumanovo 2010 – 2013. The Council of municipality Ohrid unanimously adopted the Local Disability Action Plan - Ohrid 2010 – 20103 on 19th July 2010.
Positive effects of the realization of this program had provoked interest in other municipalities. Besides municipality Radovis where the process has already started, municipality Gostivar is the second local self-government that is showing interest for developing local disability action plan.    

The Republic center for support of persons with intellectual disability – PORAKA is implementing the program for creation of local disability action plans in partnership with Handicap International – South East Europe, supported by the Small Grants Program of the USA Embassy in Macedonia.

	The Councils of municipalities Kumanovo, Vinica and Ohrid unanimously adopted the Local Disability Action Plans click to zoom the photos