Inkluzija

OUR MISSION

The philosophy of Inclusion, which states that persons with intellectual disabilities have a right to be full-righted and active members of society, serves as the ideological foundation of the Association for Promoting Inclusion.

In the Republic of Croatia rehabilitation and care of persons with moderate, severe and profound intellectual disabilities is still being practiced under traditional conditions of institutionalization and a special separate school system. Institutions and special schools are mostly located in large urban centers. Therefore, in order to receive education (required by law) children with intellectual disabilities are separated from their families already in early childhood. This results in emotional and social depravation which remains evident in adulthood. The need for shifting the government policy from institutional to community care is more than evident.

The mission of API is to provide an array of community based support services for persons with intellectual disabilities so that they can fully participate in the life of the community. Our programs demonstrates to the community that people with intellectual disabilities have the right to live, work and go to school like any other citizens.

By including persons with intellectual disabilities into the community we enable them to meet other people and form friendships and positive relationships with them. This, in turn, breaks the common negative assumptions and prejudices people usually have against persons with intellectual disabilities. Therefore we contribute to greater mutual understanding, tolerance and the acceptance of "difference" in society as a whole.

The programs API provides address a wide range of the population of persons with disabilities. In addition to providing the support the child or adult person needs in order to remain and live with us in the community, these programs serve as a model of good practice showing that all people belong in the community.

Building up a network of community based support services for persons with intellectual disabilities, awareness raising, training and self-advocacy are therefore our main focus areas.

Persons with intellectual disabilities, regardless of their age and degree of disability, have the right to live with us, actively participate in the social life of the community and contribute in accordance to their abilities.

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	. OUR MISSION The philosophy of Inclusion, which states that persons with intellectual disabilities have a right to be full-righted and active members of society, serves as the ideological foundation of the Association for Promoting Inclusion. In the Republic of Croatia rehabilitation and care of persons with moderate, severe and profound intellectual disabilities is still being practiced under traditional conditions of institutionalization and a special separate school system. Institutions and special schools are mostly located in large urban centers. Therefore, in order to receive education (required by law) children with intellectual disabilities are separated from their families already in early childhood. This results in emotional and social depravation which remains evident in adulthood. The need for shifting the government policy from institutional to community care is more than evident. The mission of API is to provide an array of community based support services for persons with intellectual disabilities so that they can fully participate in the life of the community. Our programs demonstrates to the community that people with intellectual disabilities have the right to live, work and go to school like any other citizens. By including persons with intellectual disabilities into the community we enable them to meet other people and form friendships and positive relationships with them. This, in turn, breaks the common negative assumptions and prejudices people usually have against persons with intellectual disabilities. Therefore we contribute to greater mutual understanding, tolerance and the acceptance of "difference" in society as a whole. The programs API provides address a wide range of the population of persons with disabilities. In addition to providing the support the child or adult person needs in order to remain and live with us in the community, these programs serve as a model of good practice showing that all people belong in the community. Building up a network of community based support services for persons with intellectual disabilities, awareness raising, training and self-advocacy are therefore our main focus areas. Persons with intellectual disabilities, regardless of their age and degree of disability, have the right to live with us, actively participate in the social life of the community and contribute in accordance to their abilities. .