”Nationwide Awareness Campaign on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities” We are pleased to inform you that this year, within the framework of the project “Nationwide Campaign on the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities,” we have resumed the EU Benefits Card project for persons with disabilities, whose main goals are to raise awareness in society about disabilities and the further development of the card. The beginnings of the EU Benefits Card for Persons with Disabilities (hereinafter: the card) date back to 2016, when Slovenia, along with 8 member states of the European Union, namely Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Malta, and Romania, joined a pilot project that lasted 18 months. The project was carried out in partnership between the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, the Ministry of Public Administration, and the National Council of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities of Slovenia (hereinafter: NSIOS). At the meeting of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York, the pilot project of the EU Benefits Card for Persons with Disabilities, implemented by Slovenia, was presented as a good practice example of the European Union. During the period from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, the initial pilot project evolved into a project in which the card proved to be a very good instrument that enables persons with disabilities, cardholders, to claim various benefits from providers offering advantages, primarily in the fields of transport, tourism, culture, sports, and leisure. During the implementation of the project, it became apparent that, given the social conditions characterized by intolerance and the times we live in, it is necessary to direct the development of the card towards a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the social inclusion of persons with disabilities in two interwoven and complementary directions:
- raising societal awareness, with a special emphasis on youth,
- further development of the card.
The new project ”Nationwide Awareness Campaign on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities” will contribute to greater social inclusion of individuals with various forms of disabilities while simultaneously raising broader societal awareness of diversity. Through the project, it is essential to create a more inclusive society that recognizes the positive attributes of the card and contributes to raising awareness of the need for adjustments to both physical accessibility and access to information and services. Activities related to raising societal awareness and further development of the card will
encourage active and equal inclusion of persons with disabilities in society while also raising awareness about disabilities, the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society, and their lives and achievements, regardless of disability. This will
elevate social consciousness, responsibility, and solidarity. In light of the insufficient societal awareness of diversity and the acceptance of persons with disabilities, as well as poor knowledge of the purpose and objectives of the card, we will prepare a nationwide awareness campaign. The campaign will take place on three levels:
- media campaign,
- training for staff at administrative units,
- workshops/seminars for staff at administrative units,
- activities for youth.
A special emphasis on raising societal awareness will be directed toward children and adolescents. For kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools,
workshops will be prepared, conducted by disability organizations, where a person with a disability will share their personal story. This way, we aim to bring closer persons with disabilities to children and adolescents, showing that they are just like everyone else – people. Artistic competitions (literary, photography contests) are also anticipated. Based on the submitted contributions, an e-exhibition will be created. In celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and raising public awareness, we will collaborate with various disability organizations to prepare a
traveling photo exhibition, which we will set up in different locations throughout Slovenia. A recognized photographer will capture the daily lives of participating models with disabilities. We will organize a
mini performance school, aimed at providing and enabling a safe environment where participants with disabilities discover the field of performance, communication, theater, creative processes, and develop their personal theatrical expression in an interesting and creative way. The mini performance school will be led by an experienced educator. Participants will also prepare production performances (two are planned at the end of each school year) and a final show. Based on the results and analysis of the project, activities for
attracting new providers and holders of the EU Benefits Card for Persons with Disabilities will be upgraded and improved. NSIOS will further enhance cooperation with the economic sector by connecting with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, the Trade Chamber of Slovenia, etc. The project will be carried out by NSIOS as the project holder, the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia as a partner, and other implementers. The project is
funded by the European Union in accordance with the European cohesion policy program for the period 2021 – 2027 in Slovenia.
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