SENSE FOR LIFE
Winning project in the “World Through Colour and Sound” 2014 competition of Orange Foundation
Sense for Life is a Sense International (Romania) – SI(R) – project which aims to improve the life of children and young people with deafblindness and multisensory impairments (MSI), by developing vocational services for them. Through this project, two vocational centres will be established (two mini-typographies) in Arad and Timișoara, where young people with deafblindness/MSI will learn a trade that will increase their chances to live an independent life.
The two vocational centres will add to the centres already developed in 2013 with Orange Foundation funding in Bucharest (a mini-typography), in Iași (a centre for molding marzipan) and in Galați (a mini-greenhouse), continuing to be supported and developed. Each year, 50 young people with deafblindness/MSI will learn a trade in the 5 vocational centres.
In addition, the project will provide access to specialised services to 32 children with deafblindness from Oradea, Iasi and Timisoara, preparing them for successfully acquiring vocational skills in the future.
All these initiatives are part of Sense International (Romania) long term objective to create a national network of vocational centres for young people with deafblindness / multisensory impairments, providing high quality services which enable an smooth transition to adult life. Also, we want the authorities and the general public to have an increased the level of awareness regarding the specific needs of people with deafblindness/MSI, by creating the necessary premises for vocational services to be embedded in the national education system.
SI(R) is among the 9 winners of an Orange Foundation grant, through the “World Through Colour and Sound” 2014 fund. The total value of the grant for the Sense for Life project is 226.797 lei.
Deafblindness is a combination of visual and hearing impairments. It is a severe, multisensory deficiency, many times associated with other types of disabilities (physical, mental, motor). Deafblindness causes major difficulties in the area of communication, access to information, orientation and mobility.
”The idea of this project came from the parents and teachers of children with deafblindness and multisensory impairments, concerned about their children’s future after finishing school. All we want through this project is for these young people to learn an trade and acquire those skills absolutely necessary for their social and professional integration, so that they can ultimately lead an independent life.” Cristiana Salomie, Director Sense International (Romania)
“This project significantly increases the chances of social integration for young people with deafblindness and multisensory impairments. Vocational centres have a very important role for these youngsters, giving them the opportunity to learn a trade and, this way, the chance to lead a normal adult life.” Amalia Fodor, Executive Director of Orange Foundation.
About Sense International (România) – SI(R) – is a non-governmental organisation established in 2001 with the purpose to improve the life of people with deafblindness and multisensory impairments in our country.
Through national level programmes promoting early intervention for new-born babies with sensory impairments, education of children with deafblindness and provision of vocational and pre-professionalization services, SI(R) is successfully bringing change in the life of hundreds of people with this type of disability. Sense International (Romania) vision is a world where deafblind children and adults can become active members of the society.
During the 13 years of activity, SI(R) provided rehabilitation, recuperation, early intervention, adequate education and vocational services to 727 children and young people, offered counselling and information to their parents and families and facilitated the hearing screening of 62.206 babies and the visual testing of 11.239 babies. More information about the organisation can be found at: www.surdocecitate.ro
For details: Cristiana Salomie, Sense International (Romania) Director, ph. 021 413 90 40, email: csalomie@senseint.org.ro
FAbout Orange Foundation – Orange Foundation is in the centre of corporate philanthropic actions and corporate social responsibility of Orange Romania. Philanthropic projects represent a way to demonstrate and put into practice the Orange brand values.
Orange Foundation main targets are early identification and treatment of hearing impairments in trying to limit the effects of this deficiency, the integration of people with visual, speech and hearing impairments into the community, facilitating their access to education, culture and health.