The “Ożarowska” Association for Children, Teenagers and Adults with Disabilities has received a grant from the European Union and the European Social Fund as part of the “Integration for Independence” project carried out by the Warsaw Family Support Centre.

The project carried out by the Association is called “Activation for independence of adults with cerebral palsy through psychosocial interaction and mobility rehabilitation”. The project is carried out from August through November 2009 and includes the following means of active integration:

Health promotion

-          Rehabilitation camp

-          Mobility rehabilitation workshops

Social engagement

-          Meetings of psychoeducational support groups

-          Individual psychological help and support

-          Personal abilities training

-          Active weekends

-          Help of care assistants

-          Help of volunteers

 The main goal of the above mentioned actions is the improvement of fitness, as well as the psychological comfort and well-being of adults with cerebral palsy. Through their  participation in the project we wish to give them the opportunity to recover from emotional stress. Moreover we wish to enable them to change the way in which they perceive reality and develop patterns of behavior which would both enrich their social skills and become steps on their way to independence.

The project’s participants are people whose locomotor system has been severely disabled due to cerebral palsy or meningomyelocele, both men and women whose level of intellectual development is the same as their able-bodied peers. The age span of the participants is 20-40 years old, all of them are citizens of Warsaw, unemployed, or employed but due to various factors unable to show/use their potential to the fullest, they are still in their parents’ care.

The people who agreed to participate in the project were asked to fill out a survey/declaration form. On the basis of this form 24 individuals were selected. Our social worker conducted background check of the selected participants. Based on the background check we have chosen 20 individuals who have then been divided into two groups each of which consists of 10 people with similar skills and psychophysical condition. We have concluded Social Agreements with the participants and helped participants choose the means of active integration appropriate for them.

The project is carried out in the Association’s seat located in the Marian Weiss Rehabilitation Centre at Ożarowska street 75a and WTZ KSN AW at Karolkowa street 71.

Contact Person: Barbara Sińczuk – President of the Association

Phone No./fax +48 022 836 05 13, or 602683089

E-mail: ozarowskastow@wp.pl