The Polish Association for Persons with Mental Handicap Bożena Sidor The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin

In the early sixties in Poland parents of mentally handicap children started a public debate about children, youth and adults with mental handicap who are deprived of education, employment and place within the society.

In 1991 a non-governmental, non-profit, self- help organisation was registered in court, under the name of: The Polish Association for Persons with Mental Handicap

The Association established and managed various institutions. These institutions support mentally handicap people in various age groups throughout Poland. This organization gives support to their families as well. The support involves the disabled people in various spheres of life.

Early Intervention Centres Continuous, co-ordinated, specialised comprehensive assistance targeting children aged 0 to 7, implemented at an early stage of their life: children at risk of irregular development children delayed in their motor and psychological development, children with mental handicap, including suffering from combined disability, distortions and illnesses, including motor disability, autism and epilepsy.

Education and Rehabilitation Centres CHILDREN are offered: diagnosis, co-ordinated plan of therapy and rehabilitation, adequate care, transport and catering. Centres enable children with the most severe disabilities to leave their homes and get in touch with their peers, to work in groups, participate in various activities and use specialised equipment.

Daytime Activity Centres The programme of the Daytime Activity Centres as well as other centres and rehabilitation teams is varied. They differ in various functions as regards of the local potential and needs. The Centres employ doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Occupational Therapy Workshops The Workshops provide the handicapped people with the following opportunities: social contacts with peers, instructors and other people, opportunity to learn to be independent, make one’s own decisions and take responsibility for oneself, in particular individual budget, learning the principals governing the community life and learning how to use public places. planning recreation activity.

Professional Activity Centres In order to enable such people to work in a meaningful manner, the tasks and activities must be adapted to their individual potential, safe equipment and adequate support must be provided to every employee. Apart from work, Centres offer also social rehabilitation.

Sheltered housing facilities The local Branches of the Association organise and manage sheltered housing facilities for groups of people, located in detached buildings or in separate parts of regular blocks of flats. Such housing facilities are offered to the people who have lost the support of their families.

Self-advocacy A majority of people with mental handicap are capable of exercising these rights, although it requires mastering a number of difficult skills and having the necessary courage and learning a lot about difficulties of social life and legislation. In this process, they need the support of friendly and competent people.

Leisure activity “Only by working can you realize how pleasant it is to have some spare time”. The words of one of the British self- advocats

Thank you