The vast majority of activities aimed at people with disabilities focus on meeting their basic needs and providing care services. Undoubtedly, this is a fundamental element of support, but in addition to needs arising directly from disability, these people want to develop themselves, to take an active part in education, culture, in the life of their local community. Disability does not exclude the exercise of civil rights, but it does limit them greatly. People with disabilities are often not aware that they can speak up for their own cause or do not know how to do so. In Lower Silesia, there is no systematic civic education and self-advocacy is not promoted. Meanwhile, through this type of involvement, people with disabilities build and strengthen their sense of subjectivity and responsibility.

The project organised advanced workshops for self-advocates to develop their leadership competences and skills in conducting trainings, meetings, discussions and public speeches, using new technologies, as well as training to improve their knowledge of active citizenship. For new self-advocates, a basic workshop was organised on active citizenship in the local community, rights of people with disabilities and the idea of self-advocacy. The participants of the workshop then held 6 meetings for other people with disabilities and their environment. The meetings focused on monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the idea of self-advocacy. The trained persons actively participated in the 6th and 7th editions of the Lower Silesian Regional Convention of People with Disabilities, the second time as co-organisers. Two of them took part in a so-called “shadow day” at the “Twoje Nowe Możliwości” (Your New Opportunities) Association working for people with disabilities.

Thanks to the project, 20 people from Wrocław and the Polkowice poviat were prepared for the role of self-advocates, improved their leadership skills and knowledge of social activities. The participants developed competences to improve their quality of life, represent themselves and the interests of their community. Dozens of other people with disabilities increased their knowledge of the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the concept of self-advocacy.