Community based centers

   The existing rehabilitation and social services in Armenia are mainly based in Yerevan and they are reaching no more than 2% of children with disabilities and their families. These services are mostly inaccessible to remote rural areas of Armenia . The situation is the same with NGOs. From the Ministry of Justice of Armenia 's data, there are more than 3000 registered NGOs in Armenia and about 80% are based in Yerevan . There are very few NGOs in other regions, especially NGOs dealing with disabilities. This small amount of disability NGOs in other regions are mainly busy with humanitarian assistance (distributing food or second hand clothes to families) and don't seem to change their approach from a charity model to a social model of disability. Adding to this, there is a limited amount of special services to children with disabilities in regions from the side of local governments and as a result, these children grow up in isolation and are excluded from the education system.

   With the realization of the magnitude of the problems of children with disabilities in remote areas of Armenia and with the growing appreciation of the principles of social integration and participation, "Bridge of Hope" NGO has established 3 community based centers in Tavush region ( a large region in the North -East of Armenia bordering Azerbaijan ) at regional centers in Dilijan, Ijevan and Berd. The centers provide psychosocial rehabilitation services to children with disabilities and their families, non-disabled children from families living in poverty (as a result part of these children are excluded from the education system). They also support the development of inclusive education practices in the regions and provide in-service training to teachers from regular schools to prepare them to teach children with disabilities in regular classrooms. The centers provide range of training for parents to raise their active participation in the program and reach their full potential to help their children as well resource and counseling services on social and human rights issues.

   The centers pay special attention to the needs of children with disabilities and their families. At the same time, the same services are available for all children and create joined activities of all community members.

   The centers provide services to children with mental and physical disabilities and non-disabled children to develop their social skills to participate in school and community life. The large part of the learning experience is socialization through Art Therapy, Speech Development, Life Skills and Physical Therapy. Children learn to cooperate and share with peers, to take part in group activities and talks, and to take responsibility for their own actions and for their own learning. Through individualized programs children develop skills they need for social interaction and participation.

   Disability Information and Resource services facilitate learning and information sharing; parents education and enhance networking between parents groups, persons with disabilities, community, local government, service providers. The centers promote and support research on disability issues in the region and support advocacy processes and campaigns. Leadership and human rights training are organized for activist parents (mainly women) and persons with disabilities. The community based services for families strengthen their capacities to overcome social, attitudinal and bureaucratic barriers.

   The local governments in Dilijan, Ijevan and Berd have gradually increased their participation in development of BoH centers. This kind of participation is the key to sustainability and success of the centers. The communities start to realize that the lives of its members with disabilities must be improved and that the community itself has the capacity to do it. The Municipalities Ijevan and Berd have subsidized large offices to the centers and support the staff with expertise and counseling.

   The centers are supported by NOVIB (OXFAM in Netherlands ), OXFAM, UNICEF, DFID.

   In 2001, Bridge of Hope established a "Child development" community based center in Dilijan. The office for the center was purchased with the support of the Armenian community of Toronto , Canada . The establishment of the center was supported by DFID and UNICEF. Since 2003, NOVIB (Oxfam in Netherlands ) has supported the center.

   120 children (50 with disabilities)

   Social skills, art classes, physical therapy, speech therapy, debating club activities for children with and without disabilities.
   Consulting in social, legislative and health spheres for adults/children with disabilities and their family members.

· Community based center proposes a model of community based services and the interest towards the center is high among the local Government bodies, NGOs and local community.
· The considerable change took place in public attitude towards social model of disability and social integration of children with disabilities in Dilijan.
· 125 children with disabilities are improving their skills and abilities and their self-esteem is raised.
· Parents of children with disabilities are raising their capacities through range of advocacy, leadership, human rights and community development training to influence the local government to take responsibility for their disabled members.
· 125 children without disabilities have improved their communication and social interaction skills and their perception about their peers with disabilities.
· More than 200 people are consulted and protected their rights due to consulting and information center.
· The public awareness in Dilijan about disability is considerably higher than before.
· 4 children with special needs are ready to attend school next year.
· Collaboration with 4 mainstream schools of Dilijan.

   In 2002, Bridge of Hope established a "Child development" community based center in Ijevan. The municipality of Ijevan subsidizes the office for the center. The center was established with the support of NOVIB (Oxfam in Netherlands ) and co- funded by UNICEF and DFID.

   150 children (60 with disabilities)

   Social skills, art classes, physical therapy, speech therapy, debating club activities for children with and without disabilities.
   Consulting in social, legislative and health spheres for adults/children with disabilities and their family members.