A step toward independency

Goal

The project of the National Association for Children and Adults with Autism in Romania (ANCAAR), branch of Craiova, had as a goal to hold local public authorities from the Dolj county and the community accountable for the services autistic persons need.

  
Results

Following the development of the project, the following results were achieved:

•  the local council of Craiova provides 10% of the financial resources necessary for the activity of a specialized daily care centre;
• 10 media reports (written, audio and TV) on the subject;
• local and county councillors were approached directly in order to identify means of financial support for the daily care centre for autistic children and young people managed by ANCAAR;
• community members were informed on the autistic phenomena, problems that autistic persons and their families are confronted with, following two street events.

In this project, CeRe provided assistance to ANCAAR team of Craiova in planning and organizing a public campaign that focused on the problems and the rights of children suffering from autism and their families. With CeRe's assistance, ANCAAR organized the first world café in Romania, a form of debate on the topic of „Public services for persons suffering from autism". The organizers' purpose was to identify the best solutions for supporting, maintaining and diversifying the services of the Rehabilitation Centre for Autistic Children and Young People "Dr. Inocenzo Fiore" from Craiova, the only specialized institution in the Dolj county to offer such services. The 25 participants were territorial representatives from the Labour, Social Solidarity and Family Ministry, the County Direction for Children's Protection, the local Education Inspectorate, the Craiova local and county councils, specialists (physicians, psychologists), parents of autistic children, mass media and NGOs.

On the occasion of the world café, a lot of promises were made and the public institutions sought means of coordinating their efforts. ANCAAR is now monitoring all these promises. As a short term solution, ANCAAR gained the financial support of the local council for the Rehabilitation Centre.

[The project was financed by World Learning / RCSS Romania Program.]