Integrated wheelchair fencing practices for better rehabilitation and social integration of disabled children in Belarus
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Vadzimir
Zarankin
Sports Rehabilitation Center "Egalite"
+375 17 268 48 04
2/2-9B Jakubava Str., 220101, Minsk, Belarus
Less than a year
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Operating for less than a year
According to the latest data, the number of disabled children in Belarus has exceeded 30.000 people. At the same time, the number of disabled children involved in various sports is considerably smaller. Most children with disabilities, especially the ones living in small towns and villages, don't have the opportunity to practise sports. However, today it's difficult to find opportunities for practising Paralympic sports even in big cities of Belarus.
People with disabilities in Belarus are often discriminated, most of public places and services are still not available for the disabled not to speak of the availability of sport classes.
Disabled people often receive support and assistance only from a number NGOs currently working in the field. The support from state institutions is declared but often is not really provided when it's actually nedeed.
The foundation of "Egalite" is the outcome of long-term cooperation and close interaction of a number of experienced professionals and representatives of public associations willing to combine efforts, poll resources, and elaborate common approach in order to work towards achieving common goals.
The organization owns premises required for the implementation of the first stage of the Project. Premises for wheelchair fencing practices, technical equipment and transportation for disabled athletes has been provided to disabled children since the start of the Project in two cities.
At the current stage wheelchair fencing classes are taking place in Minsk and Brest. All the objectives of the first stage of the Project have been implemented succesfully. In particular, more than 50 disabled children are currently involved in sport practices, 4 volunteer coaches are working with disabled amateur athletes, and about 30 body-abled amateur fencers are participating in joint sport practices. Psychosocial rehabilitation services are also been provided to disabled athletes at psychosocial rehabilitation cabinet in Minsk.
The evaluation of the project takes place on a monthly basis. The major indicators for measuring project's success at the first stage are: the number of disabled children that start practicing wheelchair fencing every month; the number of volunteer coaches that get involved in training disabled athletes every month; the number of volunteer body-abled children that get involved in integrated wheelchair fencing practices each month; the number of cities that provide disabled children with opportunities for practicing wheelchair fencing on amateur level.
Further evaluation will imply measuring such additional indicators as the number of disabled athletes trained in course of the Project who continue practicing wheelchair fencing on a professional level; the number of organizations and institutions that have introduced the experience gained in course of the Project into their activities; etc.
1,001-10,000
The main objective for the next six month is increasing the number of cities that provide disabled children with opportunity for practicing wheelchair fencing.
To select the next oblast centers to get involved in the Project.
According to prelimiinary six-month plans, Homiel and Hrodna will be selected in order to increase the number of cities involved.
To attract financial resourses from different sources to rent premises and purchase required equipment, in particular metal frames, and outfit for wheelchair fencing practices in Hrodna and Homiel.
To launch PR campaign in Hrodna and Homiel in order to attract the attention of the target groups to the opportunities for practicing wheelchair fencing as well as to raise public awareness.
The continuation of the Project implies attracting sufficient resources in order to spread the target area to all the oblast centers and to start devoting special attention to small towns.
To involve the remaining oblast centers. Wheelchair fencing practices will be launched in Vitsebsk and Mahilyow. Special equipment, outfit and premises will be needed in order to complete the task.
To target small towns for launching wheelchair fencing practices. The preliminary list of possible towns include: Maladzechna, Polatsk, Navagrudak, Lida, Pinsk, and Babruisk.
To launch nationwide awareness raising campaign; to conduct training seminars for volunteer coaches in order to pass them skills and knowledge required for coaching disabled amateur athletes.
The Project is expected to cover all the major cities and small towns of the country. Up to 2000 disabled amateur athletes under 18 years old are expected to get involved in wheelchair fencing practices, about 100 volunteer coaches are expected to receive training in order to satisfy the needs of disabled athletes. It's expected to attract about 1000 body-abled fencers participating in integrated sport practices on a regular basis.
The implementation of the Project in the next three years will lead to significant progress in rehabilitation and succesful social integration of disabled children which will be proved by medical evidence.
Moreover, the Project will inderictly contribute to the development of Paralympic movement in Belarus and inspire disabled children all over the world.
The significance of the succesful implementation of the current Project has already been acknowledged both by target groups, NGOs and local authorities.
However, the major barrier to the success of the Project is the lack of financial resources needed for purchasing required equipment. While the need for premises, outfit and transportation has so far partially been satisfied by in-kind contributions, the required equipment, in particular special metal frames, has to be purchased abroad due to its abscence in Belarus.
The implementation of the next stages of the Project implies the increase of the number of cities involved. Therefore, additional financial resources will constantly be needed in order to implement the objectives.
It's expected to apply various fundraising tools in order to attract required resources. However, hard economic situation in Belarus will most likely significantly decrease the amount of donations and, therefore, may endanger the implementation of the Project.
Possible solutions to the mentioned barriers include applying for funding to international funds and organizations and searching for and cooperating with foreign partners working in similar areas.
The initial stage of practicing paralympic sports is often associated with various psychosocial barriers amateur disabled athletes may face. Barriers are also likely to arise in course of training. Negotiation of the barriers are ensured by the services provided at psychosocial rehabilitation cabinet.
The services are provided by International Charitable Public Association “Health into XXI Century” located in Minsk, Belarus, that acts as a partner organization in course of the implementation of the Project.
Other partner organizations include Youth Public Association of People with Disabilities "Paralympic Fencing" and The Paralympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus. These organizations provide informational assistance and facilitate the dissemination of printed materials.
All the financial resources required for the implementation of the Project are donated by individuals and businesses.
The Project is also supported by several NGOs working with disabled people in Belarus.
Local authorities also express their support to the implementation of the Project in their respective regions which is an important condition for its success.
The Project will be strengthened by establishing long-term fruitful partnerships with wide range of national and foreign NGOs, businesses, local authorities, and govermental institutions. Finding partners will be facilitated by the succesful implementation of the first stages of the Project which will prove it to be sustainable and promising.
Various funding opportunities will be found in order to ensure financial sustainability of the Project. Besides financial contributions from local businesses and individuals, it's expected to attract financial resources from international funds and organizations. Economic crisis in Belarus obligates the project management team to not be dependent exclusively on internal funding.
Sustainable development of the Project in each city or town is expected to be ensured on local level in the future by support of local authorities, businesses and individuals.
Please select up to three in order of relevancy to your project.
PRIMARY
Lack of physical access to care/lack of facilities
Limited human capital (trained physicians, nurses, etc.)
Lack of access to targeted health information and education
Though the issues of rehabilitation and social integration of disabled people are addressed in Belarus, low attention is devoted to promoting benefits of practicing sports among amateur disabled athletes. Wide range of disabled people in Belarus is simply not aware of such opportunities. Besides lack of information, other major obstacles for amateur disabled athletes still exist. Organizing sport practices for disabled people implies the involvement of qualified coaches. Only a limited number of Belarusian coaches currently have sufficient skills required for training disabled children. Special transportation is also needed in order to make sport practices available for disabled children
The Project tackles all the barriers mentioned and is expected to change the situation dramatically.
Please select up to three potential pathways in order of relevancy to you.
PRIMARY
Grown geographic reach: Multi-country
Influenced other organizations and institutions through the spread of best practices
The Project is expected to increase its impact by graduate increase of the areas involved. It's expected to involve all the major cities and towns of Belarus less than in three years.
Cooperating with various organizations within the country will allow to introduce the products of the Project into their everyday practices.
Moreover, planned future cooperation with foreign NGOs is expected to lead to extensive experience exchange. Therefore, best practices gained in course of the Project will be transferred to other countries which will also increase its impact.
In several years the Project is expected to evolve from national level to the international one involving neighbouring countries and leading to cross-border experience exchange.
NGOs/Nonprofits.
Currently, our main partner is ICPA "Health into XXI Century" located in Minsk, Belarus. This NGO provides disabled children who are participating in the Project with psychosocial rehabilitation services at special cabinet. The organization also covers all the expenses related to the functioning of the cabinet.
Collaboration with ICPA "Health into XXI Century" enables the Project to provide disabled children with comprehensive assistance and support and raise the effectiveness of rehabilitation and social integration of the athletes.