I too have a voice!
Alexandra, Ariana, Nikolas, Constantin, Irina Florina, Mario, Stelian, Alina, Valentin, Iulian, Marian, Alessia, Alexandra Ana-Maria, Andreea, Maria, Alexandru, Irina, Loredana, Darius, Maria, Adelina and Ana-Maria are the 22 brave children and young people who demonstrate that THEY TOO HAVE A VOICE, by taking part in the national campaign aiming at increasing awareness about the rights of people with disabilities, as per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
A child-friendly version of the UNCRPD was created, focusing on some of the main rights in the convention, such as: equal rights; girls and women with disabilities; children with disabilities; freedom, safety, protection; independent life, mobility; education; health; family; and fun, good times and sports.
This campaign was launched on December 3, the International Day of People with Disabilities and shared with 11 schools from 10 Romanian towns, partners of Sense International Romania, invited to join our campaign by creating videos on this topic. All 22 children will be awarded a Certificate of Courage for attending the campaign and a tablet to support their online education during the pandemic. The tablets have been purchased and sent to the coordinating teachers to be handed over to each child as a donation.
The campaign is initiated by Sense International Romania as part of the project Education with Sense International, a project funded by Nelumbo Foundation and Sense International UK.
Below are the products of this campaign, with tanks for the children, young people and teachers involved!
Mario Alexandru
Education
Hello, my name is Mario Alexandru. Every child has the right to education. In Romania, secondary education is compulsory and free for all children! Education prepares the child for life, it develops respect for human rights, it shapes the child to be more understanding and tolerant (forgiving) with other people, peace for all!
Presenter: Mario Alexandru
Coordinating teachers: Marilena Dunac, Claudia Mogîldea, Special Professional School for Children with Hearing Impairments ”Sfânta Maria”, Bucharest
Alexandra
Accessibility
What if starting tomorrow, people would no longer be able to talk, only being able to express themselves using signs? What if I asked you to wear headphones and leave you alone in a group, with all eyes on you? Put yourself in my place, you will understand better! Look for the appropriate means of communication. Respect me!
Presenter: Alexandra
Coordinating teacher: Carina Anca Baba, Special Highschool "Sfântă Maria", Arad
Irina Florina
Free time
Hello, my name is Florina Irina. Every child has the right to rest, spare time and vacation. Children have the right to take part in recreational activities appropriate for their age, to freely attend cultural, artistic and sports activities, to freely spend their spare time as they wish, in equality. Playing games is the best way to spend spare time. Through games, children acquire new information, skills and abilities, they get to know the world and learn!
Presenter: Irina Florina
Coordinating teachers: Marilena Dunac and Claudia Mogîldea, Special Professional School for Children with Hearing Impairments ”Sfânta Maria”, Bucharest
Ariana
Accessibility
What if, starting tomorrow, all books are in Braille and you would have to read them? What if I left you all on your own in a huge building? Would you know what to do? I cannot see. Don’t make me read an image. Add a description. I’m listening to you, you listen to me as well. Look for the right means of communication. Respect me.
Presenter: Ariana
Coordinating teacher: Carina Anca Baba, Special Highschool "Sfântă Maria", Arad
Alina and Stelian
Education
Every child that we teach is a child that we earn. Victor Hugo
Hello! How are you? How are you? I am fine. I brought you to read and to write. Pay attention, please… Bye… What letter is this? O. Good. And this? P.U. O. M. Smoke.
[Alina is colouring a drawing that shows two children in wheelchairs under a rainbow]
Lets see. Here. 3. Pay attention. Write. Read. I am going home, ok?
[Stelian and her teacher say goodbye touching elbows.]
The only purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. Sydney L. Harris
Presenters: Alina and Stelian
Coordinating teacher: Cristina Dorina Leonte, Special Technological Highschool for Children with Hearing Impairments, Buzau
Andreea Beatrice
Health
Nobody gives us health, we don't inherit it, we can't buy it, we just have to keep it, to pay attention to the way of life we lead. All children have the right to good health. They have the right to go to the doctor and lead a healthy lifestyle, they have the right to the best health they can achieve and to benefit from medical and recovery services. People with disabilities have the right to good health and access to doctors and health services. Parents, doctors and everyone around must support the children to be healthy.
Presenter: Andreea Beatrice
Coordinating teacher: Gabriela Ionescu, Special Technological High School “Vasile Pavelcu”, Iași
Ana-Maria Alexandra
Family
Children have the right to know their parents, to be raised and cared for by them and can only be separated from them under strictly defined conditions. If, however, such a separation takes place, children have the right to maintain personal relationships and to be in direct contact with their parents, even when living in different countries. The child has the right to be raised by his parents, in conditions that allow him to develop physically, mentally, spiritually, morally and socially. People with disabilities have the right to have a family and personal relationships. Children with disabilities have the right to live with their families. Countries must ensure that these rights are respected.
Presenter: Alexandra Ana-Maria
Coordinating teacher: Gabriela Ionescu, Special Technological High School “Vasile Pavelcu”, Iași
Nikolas David
Rights
Today we were very happy because you asked us
If we are loved, if we are happy.
I'm glad to have the right to express myself
We each set out to have something to say.
When something doesn't suit us or even when it's good for us
And when people listen to us or when they consult us
We feel important, we don't want to be ignored!
If I could see, I would be very happy.
It's my right to play with my peers.
I could play a lot with many children at once.
But does the child know
What responsibilities does he have?
Not every child knows them
Because there are more than a thousand.
They must be respected
And we must not forget.
To help our parents
Good things to learn,
To be responsible,
To work together.
Presenter: Nikolas David
Coordinating teacher: Cristina Țiganea, Special Gymnasium School for the Visually Impaired, Bucharest
Constantin Marian
Rights
On our big planet,
I have rights like everyone else.
To a nation and a name,
I am unique in this world.
Learning is my right
And no matter how hard it is
I do it my way
And I always succeed.
I also have the right to a house
And to a beautiful family
In which to be loved,
Cared and protected.
Protected...
On the road ahead
I have the right to a life
And the one to defend myself,
To know, to pray
But in all of that that
I'm allowed to privacy.
A wonderful world in which you will find
Only children
A world with lots of sun and lots of toys
For the children
A world with stories and flowers you will meet
Only children
Ummm
Keep a world of innocence no matter what
For the children.
Presenter: Constantin Marian
Coordinating teacher: Cristina Țiganea, Special Gymnasium School for the Visually Impaired, Bucharest
Maria and Darius
Sign language
Maria: I am Maria.
Darius: I am Darius.
Maria: I like to go to school because there I can communicate better with my teachers and I can share stories with my friends.
Darius: I would like to be understood by those close to me: teachers, family and friends. Therefore, please learn sign language from Romania.
Darius: Let’s talk.
Maria: Let’s be friends.
Presenters: Maria and Darius
Coordinating teacher: Angela Mate, School Centre for Inclusive Education „Constantin Pufan”, Timișoara
Irina and Loredana
Independent life
We have equal rights! I am allowed to have an independent life, to have mobility! I TOO HAVE A VOICE!
I go to the dentist whenever I need to. Now, I need a little help. I'll handle myself! I want to become independent!
I have the right to go out in the community!
I have the right to take part in the decision-making process regarding my life!
I have the right to join activities that help me grow!
I am a person and I have the right to be treated nicely, at any time!
Presenters: Irina and Loredana
Coordinating teacher: Iuliana Damian, Special Highschool “Moldova”, Târgu Frumos
Alessia and Marian
Fun
Willpower and a lot of effort for my performances!
All winners express their joy in the same way!
The secret of success: perseverance!
Happy moments lived in unison with the protagonists on stage.
The beloved characters smile in the same way to all the spectators.
An interesting book becomes a dear friend.
My unparalleled joy: outdoor play!
Goodbye!
Have I convinced you that I can enjoy my rights? Please respect all the rights of people with disabilities.
Presenters: Alessia and Marian
Coordinating teacher: Diaconu Vasilica, Special Vocational School “Emil Gârleanu”, with the structure of the Special Vocational School “P.P. Neveanu”, Galați
Adelina and Ana-Maria
Sport
Education breeds confidence, confidence breeds hope, hope breeds peace. Confucius
Mens sana in corpore sano!
Fun and good times!
Presenters: Adelina and Ana Maria
Coordinating teacher: Ioana Serban, School Centre for Inclusive Education No. 2, Sibiu
Teodora
Education
I am a first grade student - by Emilia Plugaru
When I was in kindergarten
I was still little.
Today I am very happy
I grew a little bigger.
I'm going to grow bigger,
I'm going to learn how to read,
How to write and count -
I will be able to do it all!
Because I would like for you to know, children:
I'm a first grade student!
School helps you to develop lifelong skills, build friendships, increase your potential.
Presenter: Teodora
Coordinating teacher: Monica Kover, School Centre for Inclusive Education “Cristal”, Oradea
Alexandru
Education
My name is Alexandru, I am 7 years old, I am a student in the preparatory class at Cristal School.
Good morning sunshine!
Take a look at me:
Aren't I big?
I grew up, I'm not little anymore!
From now on I'm a schoolboy
With backpack and ABC…
How proud I am!
I will know how to read, write...
I kiss you dearly, Mommy,
Take care of the cat!
I'm busy, I mean
I grew up, I'm not little anymore!
School helps you to develop lifelong skills, build friendships, increase your potential.
Presenter: Alexandru
Coordinating teacher: Monica Kover, School Centre for Inclusive Education “Cristal”, Oradea
Valentin and Iulian
Sign language
Scene 1, in class.
The teacher communicates in verbal language.
Valentin: I don't understand anything!
Scene 2 in the classroom.
The teacher communicates in Romanian sign language.
Teacher: Now we communicate in signs. We will do an economics lesson. Please pay attention! We use signs to understand.
Valentin: We're learning!
Iulian: I like it!
Scene 3. At the doctor's office.
Valentin types: Dermatology
Valentin: Hello, Please give me a treatment, because yesterday I ate some eggs and now my skin is itching.
The doctor is mimicking that she doesn't understand.
Valentin: I'm coming another time. Good day!
Scene 4. At the doctor's office.
Interpreter: Hello! I came with the student because he has a problem.
Valentin: I want treatment because yesterday I ate some eggs and now my skin is itching.
Interpreter: Is your skin itching now? Tell us more about what happened after you ate eggs ...
Scene 5. On the street
Interpreter: Glad to see you! How are you? Where are you going?
Boys: We're going home.
Interpreter: How do you feel? You went to the doctor yesterday. Now you're okay? You received treatment, your skin is still itching? You have to be careful what you eat! Bye!
Boys: Thank you!
Presenters: Valentin and Iulian
Coordinating teachers: Gabriel Ciribașa and Cristina Nedelcu
Interpreter teacher: Lonia Popescu
School Centre for Inclusive Education “Elena Doamna”, Focșani