Lack of using computers and disconnection from the internet-based world is a disadvantage in the matter of getting basic services, information and participation in civic policies and even getting a job for a disabled person. Providing a social environment and teaching basic computer skills can be an effective improvement in the life of people with physical disabilities. We will prove that they are only disabled but not disqualified. They can learn, work and be an active member of society.

Polski Senovets, Debelets, Hotnitsa, Sheremetya, Arbanasi villages in Veliko Tarnovo Province

Lack of activities, work, opportunities, active social life, interaction with others and courses on self-development or digital tools for disabled people in the villages are the main societal challenge to face. Also, lack of job opportunities offline or online. Disabled people are excluded from society with their decision or forced by the community. This way, they lose the connection with society. We plan to create a social environment by gathering them together and with local citizens and teaching them basic computer skills. The new skills and friendships will build confidence, better job opportunities and involvement in policymaking. The world is becoming more digital and if those people don't adapt to the situation with new skills, they can't survive on regular basis.

Especially unemployed people with physical disabilities (age 18-30)
Direct beneficiaries of project with the activities-80 people with disabilities, which are excluded from society
Disabled community in general, for development of their future projects
Local citizens-for social inclusion, gathering
Professional,social groups with potential interest in the implementation of disabled people policies
Employers of disabled people-for better-qualified workers
Municipal Council, policymakers and local authorities to see a positive example and organize more disabled-friendly activities and courses on a digital base
Mathematics-Informatics Department of Bulgarian Academy of Science,
Companies that can contribute the idea or employ people with physical disabilities
to see positive examples

Step1
Organizing our team and preparations for the project (Purchase of the products, designs, coordination meetings etc.). Communication with the local citizens, municipality, NGOs and volunteer groups.
Step2
Online and offline publishments to reach the target group and receive their applications for the computer workshops. Selection of the participants and deciding the workshop spot depending on the participant's location and mobility.
Step3
Launching the computer workshops. Each course will be 1 month (2 times a week, each workshop 2 hours) with 10 participants (total 80 participants).We will use Non-Formal Education methodology in workshops to be more motivational, joyful and effective.We want to improve communication between disabled people and locals. Workshops will include visits and discussions with NGOs, communities and policy leaders. We will invite local political leaders to join our certification ceremonies to increase the communication level between disabled people and authorities. Each person who finishes the course successfully will receive a certificate which can be used in job applications.
Step4
Final. We will organize a meeting and discussion with local authorities and NGOs to share our positive experience. We would like to influence them to organize more disabled people-friendly self-development courses and activities. Especially with digital tools.

Activated, motivated, confident, self-improved and happy people with a physical disability.
Participants to apply for a job to work in an office or distance way with computers.
Active participation and acceptance of the target group in society and business life.
Better communication with local municipalities for solving local problems.
Participation in local policymaking, petitions, NGO initiatives via computers, giving a voice.
Good examples for positive changes and policy developments in the region.
Better social orientation and active citizenship via computer, easy access to information and needs and being independent for basic things.
Collected valuable experience, knowledge, civil cooperation, and networking.
Better cohesion and understanding between differently-minded groups

Active participation in workshops, learning new skills, communication with each other and other citizens are all important for civil activation, cooperation and inclusion of disabled people. Participants will have a chance to meet with local policymakers and society leaders in a social environment to give their voice. Maybe the first time in their life, they will have a chance to talk directly. Also, the knowledge and experience they get from our workshops will be a tool to use for the long-term, not a one-time activity. The skills they get will make them get a space in the working world, respect by others, a chance to be an active part of society. During the project, we will also collect regularly the opinion of locals and target group and share this with authorities, policymakers, NGOs.

Our organization and team is working on social projects for a long time. Some of our main members and active volunteers are with physical disabilities from the region and living in these villages. Their feedbacks, participation in society, difficulties they face and lack of opportunities motivate us to organize this project.
The project will involve academicians from the Bulgarian Academy of Science-Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics and professional trainers from the Non-Formal Education field, who have experience working with disabled people.
Our team also involves experienced project managers, active volunteers from the field, public and community relations managers, social media experts, designers and photographers for our campaigns.

Project Management & Coordination-10000
Printing Materials (brochures, posters)-1000
Online Advertising-1500
Teacher and trainer-3060
Equipment Purchases (Computers, bag, mouses, and keyboards)-6095
Photography-Design-2560
Social Media Platforms and Public Relations-7600
Transport-1200
Renting Place for the Workshop-2045

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