Majority of Romanians Express Concern Over Upsetting Individuals with Disabilities, According to Study
Title: Getting Romanians with Disabilities Past Those Social Barriers
Let's dive into a fascinating study conducted by CED Romania, Accenture Romania, and AccessibleEU, with a little help from the European Accessibility Resource Centre AccessibleEU. This study exposes some intriguing findings about how Romanians without disabilities approach individuals with disabilities and the significant gaps in societal perceptions on their social integration.
The research explores the perspectives of three key groups: people without disabilities, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. As a first in Romania, the study presents a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
When it comes to needs, 68% of people without disabilities believe that people with disabilities should receive state support, and 66% consider psychological counseling crucial. On the flip side, people with disabilities prioritize social activities (82%) and cultural and recreational activities (72%) for a quality life.
Interestingly, while 85% of people without disabilities believe the state should lead the charge in integrating people with disabilities, only 33% and 47% of people with disabilities and their caregivers, respectively, think the same about society's role.
Social barriers are a chief concern, with a lack of knowledge about disabilities (45%) and a lack of interaction experiences (46%) being the primary culprits preventing people without disabilities from getting involved.
In response to these barriers, CED Romania, Accenture Romania, and AccessibleEU launched "A Family of Millions," a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about the needs of people with disabilities. The goal is to bring more people into the fold and inspire society to support their integration.
"Enough with the talk about inclusion. We need action that drives real integration within the community." - Cristina Căluianu, founding member and board member of CED Romania Center for Excellence in Diversity.
The study also examined opportunities for community participation through the professional environment. It found that 78% of people with disabilities in Romania have not participated in professional activities or sought employment opportunities in the past year. Additionally, 65% believe that the labor market is not geared towards integrating them, and a similar percentage feels the education system fails them.
There's a disparity in understanding the role the professional environment can play in the lives of people with disabilities. While 72% of people with disabilities and their caregivers see professional participation as essential for an independent life, only 40% of people without disabilities prioritize this aspect.
To learn more about this exciting initiative and the organization behind it, be sure to check out radu@our website! (Photo source: Ratana21 | Dreamstime.com)
- The study conducted by CED Romania, Accenture Romania, and AccessibleEU highlights a discrepancy in societal perceptions between Romanians without disabilities and those with disabilities regarding the integration of individuals with disabilities.
- According to the research, while 85% of Romanians without disabilities believe the state should lead the charge in integrating people with disabilities, only 33% and 47% of people with disabilities and their caregivers share the same opinion about society's role.
- The findings suggest a need to prioritize mental health and health-and-wellness, as 66% of Romanians without disabilities consider psychological counseling crucial for people with disabilities, while 82% of people with disabilities prioritize social activities for a quality life.
- Science and research play a significant role in addressing the integration challenges faced by Romanians with disabilities, as demonstrated by the comprehensive study conducted by CED Romania, Accenture Romania, and AccessibleEU.
