Disabled and self-confidentiality in Egypt
Base:
As basic for my project I apply the “Standard Rules” of the United Nations. Concretely the Rule 21 “Technical and economic cooperation”. It means there:
States, both industrialized and developing, have the cooperate in and take
Measures for the improvement of the living conditions of persons with disabilities in developing countries.
At present a UN convention of human rights for handicapped people is developed. The “Standard Rules” from 1993 should replace this convention, but haven’t had an appropriate effect in the UN law. In the work of the UN committees the “Standard Rules” are hardly considered. The member states miss prevailing the awareness for the fact that handicapped people are human right subjects. The most states make policy in this way: Handicapped citizens are ignored either perfectly during the conversion of the human right contracts, or they are only considered in the context of health and socio-political measures.
As own experience as scientific realization the beginning-developed that’s humans with handicap are experts for themselves. They defend themselves against a patronizing by non-disabled experts. Rather they dispose of those competence to recognize their own wishes and needs a return into reality with their own strategies.
Also the development cooperation is missing still many experts for themselves, as regards humans with handicaps.
First the entire projects should be limited geographically to Cairo.
Background:
During 4 weeks, staying mainly in Cairo, I became acquainted with the director/costumer of SETI Centre. The SETI Centre is an institution of Caritas Egypt and works with humans with mentally impairment. Mr. Franciss is active in working with disabled people for almost 20 years. With his help I could look at eight institutions for disabled people (to the largest part with humans with mental disability, impairment in hearing and/or looking). Besides I could meet a union of mainly lawyers, who look after right for handicapped people. Also I looked at a school for handicapped children, whose contact I got by an association which has founded in the north of Germany and supports this school is Professor Elsarnagawy. With the leaders, co-workers and people who are concerned I talked intensively in all institutions. My impression was and is that family work is necessary. Families hide their handicapped members or push them away in institutions. Thee institutions and/or organizations again make all “their own thing”. In my opinion, and Mr. Franciss as well as Mr. Elsarnagawy are such opinion, could all institutions in their work be very much further, if they would co-operate. My friends of “Egypt for all”, a travel enterprise, which specialized in handicapped tourists, supported me in my visits and conversations.
Objectives/Aims:
Ø Direct contact to humans with handicaps, in order to promote and strengthen self initiative and self value feeling
Ø Leading together several organizations active in working with disabled people
Ø Organising 4-5 Events, in order to sensitize the consciousness of families with handicapped members
Ø Identification of possibilities of an effective public work for the sensitization of
the society
Activities – target 1:
As basis I would like to take up closer contact – beside the events and the necessary preparation for it- to the concerned people, who are charged in projects, their families and friends, in order to become acquainted with the situation and perspective to handicapped people and let it flow into my work. In order to see, how concerned people can be included into existing and future projects, I would like to even speak intensively with the handicapped themselves. In addition, relatives, fiends, project and institution responsible person should be asked. A short manual with key questions is compiled as staring point at beginning of the stay.
At the same time I would like to try to interfere the concerned people that they are equivalent and have the equal rights. From this following is to be found out, which needs and desires they have. These can flow then into further concepts. This consequence would strengthen the self initiative and the self value feeling of the disabled people.
Activities – target 2:
Many institutions, which are active in working with disabled, could be taken to one table.
Together here then concepts for further projects could be developed. Of course with the consideration of current policy. For that contact should be taken up with the appropriate departments in the responsible Ministries.
Activities – target 3:
During 4-5 events I would like, in co-operation with Mr. Franciss, Mr. Elsarnagawy and “Egypt for All”, to show by my example, how it is possible that also humans with a big impairment can create something. They need for it the support of their family and friends. Not unconditional financial, but first idealistic kind. These events shall take place at different schools and universities (DBS – German school for girl etc.; DEO – German evang. High school; German University of Cairo; AUC – American University Cairo; CAC – Cairo American College).
It would be favourable, if we could show a short film on these meetings about my life until now. In addition I could answer then questions.
Activities – target 4:
From the results of the activities to target 1-3 possibilities could set out, which can be the basis for an effective public work. These possibilities should be gathered, in order to serve as basis for future activities.
Timing:
1. Basis and starting point: Direct establishment of contact and questions of concerned people: Humans with handicaps, relatives, friend circle and responsible persons – could be realized within three months
2. Leading together several organisations which are active in working with disabled people – should run parallel to the first objective
3. 4-5 events – should run parallel to the first objective
4. Identification of possibilities of an effective public work for the sensitisation of the society – should be worked out parallel to 1., 2. and 3. objective
Framework-setting:
For 13 years I work full time in the cash office (office finances and local supervision) of the rural district Cuxhaven. In the cash office often occurs suddenly very many things, which must be done immediately. This often was trouble and I learned to handle that. In the last 3 years, as chairman of the council for humans with disabilities, it occurs very frequently that I must observe dates also outside of my work time. During this time, and also in my childhood and youth time I have acquainted most degrees and kinds of disability.
For the equipment of the job place, which would have to be barrier-free to come to, it would be advantageous, if I could use a computer and a telephone. To phone is as only communication form a little difficult for me. Therefore it would be very suitable, if I had an email and fax connection.
The rooms I would look for myself, with support of ‘Egypt for all’. In addition I need write implements and a vehicle, which I fit in with the wheelchair. I would bring along ramps, which are possibly used. The vehicle would put ‘Egypt for all’ to me at the disposal.
I need special support to train me into the structures of the country (state, religion, culture, opinion about humans with handicaps) and to clarify possibly content wise questions. Also Handicap international would stand on my side. Because my Arab knowledge is still very superficial, I need possibly for security a partner, who translates something for me.
Because of my handicap I need personally assistance. This I would bring along from Germany. My assistant at this time would come with me. For the costs I would be responsible.
I would be 80 % on tour, in order to take up contact to organizations and ask the concerned people. Besides I would have to prepare the events. I would have to make advertisement (posters, flyer, writing etc.) and something similar before I would go to Egypt. However many arrangements, also with the places of event, would have to be made, if I am there.
Also in the time before my stay in Egypt the short film would have to be finished. I try to win for it a television or a broadcasting station or a medium school.
The current status of this project will have been experienced over a website, which will be developed by ‘Egypt for all’.