Inkluzija

SELF ADVOCACY

Regardless of abilities, age, gender or nationality, all people, including persons with intellectual disabilities have the right to influence their life and enjoy the same rights as other members of society.

Until recently, persons with intellectual disabilities in Croatia were often denied these rights, since it was believed that they are not capable of bringing decisions and influencing the course of their life. The idea prevailed that others should fight for their rights and their benefit.

The appearance of the self advocacy movement and the formation of self advocacy groups showed that, with the adequate support and training programs, persons with intellectual disabilities can gain self advocacy skills and actively participate in the struggle for the equalization of rights and improvement of their quality of life.

In their aim of enabling social inclusion, associations and organizations supporting persons with intellectual disabilities note the need to include these persons in the decision making processes concerning the creation and implementation of support services. As clients of these services, persons with intellectual disabilities can best recognize their needs and how to fulfill them.

By including persons with intellectual disabilities in the work of the professional support services, we will make these services more sensitive to the individual needs of each client.

The Association for Promoting Inclusion established five self-advocacy groups (two in Zagreb and one in Bjelovar, Osijek and Sibenik) which meet regularly once a week. The members of the self advocacy groups publish their newsletter "Nas List" ("Our Newsletter").

We are happy to inform you that we have supported the establishment of the first Association for Self Advocacy (ASA) in Croatia. This NGO unites the efforts of our self advocacy groups and is the first NGO run by and for persons with intellectual disabilities in our country.

On December 3rd 2004 ASA in partnership with API launched their public awareness raising campaign for the right of persons with intellectual disabilities to work and be employed.

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	SELF ADVOCACY Regardless of abilities, age, gender or nationality, all people, including persons with intellectual disabilities have the right to influence their life and enjoy the same rights as other members of society. Until recently, persons with intellectual disabilities in Croatia were often denied these rights, since it was believed that they are not capable of bringing decisions and influencing the course of their life. The idea prevailed that others should fight for their rights and their benefit. The appearance of the self advocacy movement and the formation of self advocacy groups showed that, with the adequate support and training programs, persons with intellectual disabilities can gain self advocacy skills and actively participate in the struggle for the equalization of rights and improvement of their quality of life. In their aim of enabling social inclusion, associations and organizations supporting persons with intellectual disabilities note the need to include these persons in the decision making processes concerning the creation and implementation of support services. As clients of these services, persons with intellectual disabilities can best recognize their needs and how to fulfill them. By including persons with intellectual disabilities in the work of the professional support services, we will make these services more sensitive to the individual needs of each client. The Association for Promoting Inclusion established five self-advocacy groups (two in Zagreb and one in Bjelovar, Osijek and Sibenik) which meet regularly once a week. The members of the self advocacy groups publish their newsletter "Nas List" ("Our Newsletter"). We are happy to inform you that we have supported the establishment of the first Association for Self Advocacy (ASA) in Croatia. This NGO unites the efforts of our self advocacy groups and is the first NGO run by and for persons with intellectual disabilities in our country. On December 3rd 2004 ASA in partnership with API launched their public awareness raising campaign for the right of persons with intellectual disabilities to work and be employed. More