1. Local Disability Action Plans 2008-2010 in 4 municipalities in Macedonia Afrim Ilijazi, Handicap International South East Europe

2. Developing local Disability Action Plans as an instrument for ensuring equal treatment and life free of discrimination at a local level in Macedonia Goal

3. Activities: Preliminary training seminar for DPOs Approaching municipalities Signed memorandum of understanding Forming a working group for designing the draft version of LDAP Organizing trainings for the working groups Identification of needs, obstacles and establishment of reliable local data Organizing workshops for drafting of LDAP

4. Steps taken after draft version Organized public debates Final version of LDAP Publication of LDAP Lobbying activities for adoption of LDAP Adoption of Disability Action Plan by Local Government Announcement and Promotion of the publication Implementation of LDAP

5. Local Disability Action Plan Lifecycle Local Disability Action Plan Lifecycle Local Disability Action Plan Lifecycle Local Disability Action Plan Lifecycle

7. Priority Area-Strategies Raise awareness of general population and representatives of public institutions about disability issue Developing and implementing accessible communication tools that ensure people with a disability are given the opportunity to be informed Progressively implementing better accessibility and inclusion within, open space, transport, facilities and services for all people with a disability Providing direct services to people with disability and their families Create employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and to set an example to other businesses and employers in the area. Inclusive Education

8. Lessons learned DPOs need to have sufficient organizational capacity and resources to be able to take a pro-active role in the working group. DPO should also be aware of the representation of all groups of persons with disabilities. A previous link or cooperation between DPOs and local authorities facilitates largely the process. Disability awareness should be part of such a process, and in fact elaborating a LDAP is a good opportunity to make community stakeholders aware of disability. The involvement of the local authority or council from the start is extremely important in order that the ownership of the LDAP already partly is theirs. The LDAP should as well have a clear and realistic finance plan, which makes it more easy to incorporate in the municipal budget.

9. ObjectiveActionTarget date Responsibili ty IndicatorNeeded recourses Developing and implementing accessible communication tools that ensure people with a disability are given the opportunity to be informed Production of material in alternative formats including audio and zoom printing Continuous ly 2008- 210 Municipality of VelesNumber of beneficiaries using the information Number of requested information Human and material recourses ensured by municipality Veles Opening of information office within municipalities for PWD January- May 2008 Municipality of Veles Number of beneficiaries requesting information The information office Human and material recourses ensured by municipality Veles Making website of municipality accessible for people with disability January – April 2008 Municipality of Veles and Association Open the Windows Accessible web site Number of visitors Human and material recourses ensured by municipality Veles Table of Implementation – extract from a local action plan