Eastern Europe
Motivation is continuing to work on a programme that will establish a network of support for wheelchair users across Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. The programme focuses on developing both financial and social support. Our partner, Motivation Romania, play a key role.
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In Romania and surrounding countries workshops are being conducted to strengthen the fundraising capacity of Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs). Local staff are conducting advocacy work to influence government policy on wheelchair financing and are assisting in developing wheelchair financing networks. Financing networks are being established in the neighbouring countries and groups are researching avenues of funding for wheelchairs and establish credit schemes to enable the poorest people to obtain a wheelchair.
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| Wheelchair training by Motivation Romania |
Motivation Romania has promoted and developed wheelchair tennis in the region. |
Wheelchair basketball at Motivation Romania's Centre outside Bucharest |
Strategies are being put in place to improve and increase the support for wheelchair users globally. This will be achieved through collaboration amongst the disability sector and by influencing large global bodies. Within Eastern Europe grassroots DPOs will be strengthened by training to improve management and infrastructure.
Peer Group Training is a unique way of addressing the rehabilitation needs of people with spinal injuries. Led by wheelchair users, groups are taught skills to encourage mobility, independence and they are empowered to access and demand their rights. A Peer Group Training Consensus conference brought together DPOs from Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. Participants developed both generic aims and activities for Peer Group Training programmes as well as regional training programmes.