3.037 students of 54 schools, from October 2015 until April 2016, participated in the program «Familiarizing students with disabilities - Think. Learn. Experience. Change»
The program was conducted during the school year 2015 – 2016 and co-funded by Solidarity Now.
SKEP – Association of Social Responsibility for Children and Youth organized experiential motivational speeches in Primary and Secondary Education schools, in order to deconstruct stereotypes of prejudice about disability and familiarize students with the notion of "diversity".
The open discussions were held by SKEP’s executives with disability and the active participation of students.
The interaction of vulnerable social groups with mainstream students is key to altering attitudes and behavior regarding diversity and disability. By educating and raising awareness in students and their environment (family, teachers, social workers, public sector employees, members of local government, etc.), SKEP’s proposed programs create opportunities for change in the public’s mentality aiming to empower people with disabilities and ensure their basic rights.
Education is a vital issue for all citizens, especially for young people with disabilities. It is a prerequisite for occupational integration and the pursuit of fundamental rights.
The experiential motivational speeches aimed to empower:
1/ Access to information and awareness campaigns for mainstream students regarding diversity.
‘I am informed, I comprehend, I learn, I think, I alter my attitude’
2/ Subsequent social and professional integration of all persons with disabilities in all levels of society.
‘They see me, They understand the abilities I have but also realize the obstacles I face, They take me into consideration, They alter their attitude towards diversity’
The program «Familiarizing students with disabilities - Think. Learn. Experience. Change» started on September 2015. During the initial preparation month, the following activities took place:
- Communication with mainstream schools and formation of the monthly program of speeches in schools
- Formation and send the initial press release in order to inform the general public for the program
- Creation and production of radio spot with relevant information. The radio spot was aired in all the radio stations of Athens and Thessaloniki from 15/10/2015 until 15/11/2015 and in all radio stations in Athens from 15/2/2016 until 15/3/2016
- Production of educational interactive notebooks for all participating schools
During October, the motivational speeches were held at the following schools:
- 2nd Junior High School of Chaidari – 53 Students
- 117th Primary School of Athens – 32 Students
- 1st Primary School of Nea Ionia – 55 Students
- 16th Primary School of Galatsi - 43 Students
- 1st Junior High School of Vrilissia – 45 Students
- 62nd Junior High School of Athens – 80 Students
- 4th Junior High School of Palaio Faliro - 40 Students
- 2nd High School of Geraka - 100 Students (we conducted two motivational speeches)
- 62nd Junior High School of Athens – 80 Students
- 4th Junior High School of Palaio Faliro - 40 Students
- Saint Joseph – 60 Students
November 2015:
- 4th Junior High School of Palaio Faliro - 40 Students
- 41st General High School of Athens - 60 Students
- 24th Primary School of Ilion - 36 Students
- 35th Primary School of Athens - 45 Students
- 3rd Junior High School of Gerakas - 35 Students
December 2015:
- 13th Nursery of Petroupolis - 22 students
- 2nd Junior High School of Vrilissia - 80 students
- 1st High School of Vrilissia - 50 students
- 7th Junior High School of Korydallos - 98 students
- 10th Primary School of Aegaleo - 47 students
- 14th Primary School of Nikaia - 56 students
January 2016:
- 19th Primary School of Nea Ionia - 42 students
- 4th Primary School of Agioi Anarguroi - 36 students
- 2nd Junior High School of Vrilissia - 100 students
- 2nd Primary School of Melissia - 43 students
- Leonteios Primary School of Nea Smurni - 55 students
- 3rd Junior High School of Vrilissia - 80 students
February 2016:
- Ursulines Primary School - 84 students
- 7th High School of Athens - 64 students
- 1st Primary School of Palaio Faliro - 45 students
- 4th Primary School of Galatsi - 45 students
- 1st Primary School of Vrilissia - 40 students
- 17th Primary School of Athens - 50 students
- Ursulines Primary School - 84 students
- Maliaras School - 50 students
March 2016:
- 1st High School of Vrilissia - 70 students
- 3rd General High School of Kifisia - 128 students
- 6th Primary School of Petroupoli - 53 students
- 6th Junior High School of Nea Ionia - 64 students
- 6th Junior High School of Neo Irakleio - 65 students
- 3rd Junior High School of Peristeri - 44 students
April 2016:
- 2nd Junior High School of Nikaia - 80 students
- 7th Junior High School of Nea Ionia - 43 students
- 86th Primary School of Athens - 35 students
- 1st Junior High School of Agioi Anarguroi - 80 students
- 52nd Primary School of Athens - 42 students
- Junior High School of Anoiksi - 70 students
- 4th High School of Nea Smurni - 75 students
- 2nd Junior High School Kalitheas - 90 students
- Primary School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Argyroupolis - 17 students
- 52nd Primary School of Athens - 21 students
- 62nd Junior High School of Athens - 71 students
- 6th Primary School of Pallini - 31 students
- Junior High School of Neou Mylotopou - 33 students
The motivational speeches were conducted by SKEP’s executives youth with disability, as well as external associates. Students had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with disability through the speeches and experiential activities. Our associates:
Irene Trompeta
Program Supervisor
Irene graduated from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science in Athens with a specialization in Adapted Physical Education. As our Activities Coordinator since September 2012, she coordinates and coaches the sport of Bocce. Irene is responsible for both the communication and activity planning with mainstream schools, special education schools and institutions.
Panagiotis Pitsiniagkas
Motivational Speaker
Panagiotis joined our team in 2009, first as a Motivational Speaker and then as our Experiential Interventions Coordinator. He graduated from the School of Applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA).
His motor disability occurred after a car accident at 21 years old.
Stefanos Vouros
Motivational Speaker
After his BA on Communication and Mass Media from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Stefanos obtained an M.Sc in Creative Advertising from the Edinburgh Napier University. He joined our team on September 2012 as a Motivational Speaker and Press Coordinator.
Stefanos was born without the upper portion of his limbs.
Vaggelis Avgoulas
Motivational Speaker
Vaggelis Avgoulas was born blind.
He graduated from the 6th High School of Ilion, where he received a certificate of excellence. He was one of the first students who entered to the Law Department of the University of Athens where he excelled and received a performance award from the State Scholarships Foundation (2007) and graduated with a diploma degree of 8.4 to 10.
Vaggelis works now as Lawyer and he is Member of the Committee on Health and Social Policy of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, Regular Representative in Greece of the International Organization VIEWS for young visually impaired, Deputy General Secretary of the Panhellenic Association for the Blind, Vice President of the Athletic County Association of Disabled "Tyrtaeus" and Secretary of the Youth Committee of the Panhellenic Association for the Blind.
Menelaos Tsaousis
Mobility and Orientation Trainer
Menelaos has attended the training course in the Greek Center for Mobility and Orientation (KE.KI.PRO.). His internship program took place at the "LINDEN LODGE School for Visual impairment children, Wimbledon, London". Today he is the Director of the Center for Child and Family Support of Athens for SOS Children’s Village Greece leading a 18-member multidisciplinary team focusing on supporting families (Family Strengthening Program), with financial and social problems. Students attending his mobility orientation training learn how to move with a white cane while blindfolded, accompaniment techniques, as well as recognition of daily objects and currency notes, etc.
Miselina Lemisiou
MSc Psychologist - Psychotherapist
With the support and counseling of M. Lemisiou we are able to understand the different types of disability and ways of coping with them.
Goals of the program:
- Propose sensitization programs concerning disability in educational curricula
- Create inclusive courses in schools (music, arts, sports)
- Encourage equal access to education (school-university)
- Understand the daily issues that disabled people encounter
- Incorporate disabled people in everyday life
- Create and encourage joint cultural and athletic activities held by municipalities