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I am delighted to have the opportunity to write this foreword. I
have known about the fantastic work in Romania for over ten
years. As CEO of Sense Scotland we shared projects,
information and knowledge.
Since becoming CEO of Sense and Sense International I
understand more and have got closer to the work of Sense
International Romania.
Ten years ago, when Sense International Romania was started,
there was nothing for deafblind children.
It was therefore a special achievement to have deafblindness recognised as a unique and distinct
disability in Romanian legislation. This advocacy work has led to 35 classes in special schools
supporting 140 deafblind/multi sensory impaired (MSI) children. This early intervention work is so
important and can only be done in partnership with teachers, educationalists and of course the
families and deafblind children themselves.
We are grateful for our partnership with the Ministry of Education which has led to the curriculum
for teaching MSI children. It’s a fantastic achievement to have trained 85 teachers/educators to
take this work forward. Cristiana and her team are rightly proud of the screening programme
where 37,000 babies have had their hearing screened, 6,000 have had vision tested. This has led
to 75 infants being referred to the Early Intervention services. This support will give these children
the best possible start and support their families through often difficult times.
I know the Sense International (Romania) team would want me to thank all the colleagues and
friends that support our work in so many ways. I’m proud of Sense International Romania and the
very real difference the support makes to the lives of some of the most marginalised children in
our society.
I hope you enjoy reading more about some of the ‘high points’ over 2011.
Yours Sincerely
Gillian Morbey OBE CEO
Sense, Sense International
Dear Friends,
Since 2001 SI(R) main ways of communicating about our
work around deafblindness and deafblind people have been
the newsletter, the annual report and quite recently our
website.
This year we have embraced communication through face
book as well. I would like to use this opportunity to kindly
invite all the Facebook fans to express your ideas, thoughts
and opinions on our Facebook fan page!
For most of us our central focus is people who are deafblind, their struggles and aspirations, their
achievements and failures.
We have tried to learn as much as we can about this disability and we have committed ourselves
to improve services for deafblind children in our country. We have done our best to advocate on
behalf and together with deafblind people, to organize awareness seminars about deafblindness,
influencing our legislation in the field and working with partners
Without false modesty, the results have been remarkable! Becoming more professional has been
an important goal for us but our focus on children who are deafblind /MSI and on professionals
who work with these kids has been a priority and will always be a priority!
During all those years SI(R) has been recognized for its dedication, commitment ,professionalism
and welcoming nature, its team being always ready to share information with partners and
dedicate time to parents and families. If I look back, I think that it is fair to say that we have made
a big difference in the field of deafblindness in Romania. Maybe we could have done more for the
adults; we could have been more proactive in nagging some authorities to apply the legislation. I
am sure that there is always space for improving things and for sure the parents of deafblind
children have lots of aspirations for their children and expect more and more from us! The
activities run throughout this year show that our organization has grown a lot, we have learned
from our mistakes and managed to accomplish some of our long lasting desires.
SI(R) current country strategic plan offers a guarantee to our future success and a road map to
our intentions and desires.
Yours Sincerely,
Cristiana Salomie
Sense Internațional (Romania) Director
1
Ten years ago, deafblindness was a completely unknown
concept in Romania. There wasn’t even a word for
naming this deficiency.
Already working in the NGO field, I came into contact
with Sense International UK.
They were trying to increase
awareness about deafblind people,
about the specific problems of
people with both visual and hearing
impairments and about the need to
create services for them.
From that point on, establishing an organisation in Romania was just one step away.
Photo 2
Photo 1
Photo 3 Photo 4
How was Sense International (Romania) born?
Photo 1 – Richard Hawkes (Sense International UK Director 1994-2006), Cristiana Salomie (Director SIR), Norman Brown (MSI Course Coordinator –Birmingham University, Deafblindness Course Coordinator Romania), Prof. Univ. PhD. Vasile Preda, Head of Special Education Department, Babes Bolyai University (1992-2009) Photo 2 – Training course in Deafblindness, 2006– Stuart Aitken, Senior Research Fellow Edinburgh University, Sense International trainer for the Education Programme in Romania Photo 3 – Rodney Clark (CEO Sense 1981 – 1996) Photo 4 – Gill Morbey (CEO Sense and Sense International), Georgeta Graure (parent), Ștefan Graure
2
Tell us a bit about SI(R) history.
SI(R), unlike other organisations during those years, did not create alternative services. We were
aware of the fact that, in order to ensure sustainability for the services, we had to work in
partnership with the Romanian state, and not outside it.
Therefore, with the support of Sense UK, we trained a few teachers in methods and techniques of
working with deafblind and multisensory impaired children and we supported the establishment
of two classes for deafblind children – one in Bucharest and one in Cluj Napoca, following the
British model. The essential condition was that classes should not have more than 4 children.
It all started as a pilot project, with 8 children, 2 classes and 4 teachers. After one year of
functioning, representatives of the Ministry of Education visited the classes and, having noticed
the results and the children’s remarkable progress, they decided to extend the project and embed
it in the Romanian education system.
Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7
Photo 8 Photo 9 Photo 10
Photo 5 – John McInnes (author of Deafblind Infants and Children: A Developmental Guide) and wife Photo 6 – Mary Foster (Trainer Sense UK, Consultant for the Education Programme in Romania) and Roxana Photo 7 – Sense specialists – Richard Tomlinson (Paediatrician Consultant UK National Health Service), John Shaw (Head of Children and Young People’s Services Devon) and Eileen Boothroyd (Head of Education Department Sense UK) Photo 8 – Gerard Swan (Sense UK, Deafblindness Course Coordinator Romania) and Alexandra Photo 9 – Sense specialists in a deafblind/MSI class Photo 10 – Sense specialists - Gerard Swan and John Shaw
3
We continued supporting the education field, but in 2007 we realized that by the time children
reach kindergarten or school age, it is already a bit late for them, and work should be done with
them as early as possible, even from birth.
The result was the implementation of a new project, the Early Intervention project. It is currently
being developed in three major cities: Bucharest, Oradea and Timişoara and the plan is to follow
the education programme model, proving its viability and then having the Romanian state take
over and implement it at national level.
What is the greatest achievement in these 10 years?
It is difficult to think about only 1 achievement… SI(R) became a key resource in the field of
deafblindness in Romania – for children, parents, teachers, doctors, authorities. We changed
legislation – since 2006, the law recognizes deafblindness as a distinct disability.
More than anything though, we offered and continue to offer deafblind/MSI children the chance
to develop and reach their maximum potential.
What was the greatest challenge for SI(R)?
In addition to the early intervention and education programmes, SI(R) has invested over the years
a lot of time, energy and resources in supporting 2 organisations created with our support: The
Association of Parents of Deafblind Children in Romania and the Association of Deafblind People
in Romania.
Despite our greatest efforts in supporting them to become independent and active organizations,
we did not succeed in creating that nucleus bringing together deafblind people, becoming a
unique voice in the fight for promoting their own rights.
As a result, in 2010, due to budget restrictions, we were forced to stop supporting them, but we
still bear hope in their renewal.
4
Where is the organisation headed?
Sense International (Romania) is determined to continue its efforts making sure education
services provided to deafblind/MSI children in the special schools in Romania become more and
more professional.
We will also continue implementing the early intervention programme. Our plan is to extend it in
other areas of Romania, training specialists so that they know how to work with newborn babies
and small children. Once this programme becomes a best practice model, we will try including it
in the national health/education system, like we did with the education programme.
In 2012, we will embark on a completely new trail – a programme planned by us as a response to
numerous requests coming from parents and teacher. This programme will be a pilot programme,
developing vocational and pre-professional skills in deafblind teenagers and young adults. We will
work in partnership with two or three schools from the country, our partners in implementing this
programme.
CRISTIANA SALOMIE, Director csalomie@senseint.org.ro
Photo 11 Photo 12 Photo 13 Photo 14
Photo 15 Photo 16 Photo 17 Photo 18
Photo 11 – Gabriela Jianu (Timișoara) Photo 12 – School Centre for Sensory Inclusive Education Oradea Photo 13 – Teachers’ Network Meeting, October 2011, Bucharest Photo 14 – Training course in deafblindness Photo 15 – Newborn baby hearing screening Photo 16 – Specialists team at Oradea Maternity Unit Photo 17 – Monica Marin (Bucharest Early Intervention Support Centre) Photo 18 – Dr. Alexandru Pascu – ENT specialist, audiologist and the team of specialists from Pantelimon Maternity Unit in Bucharest
5
What is deafblindness?
Deafblindness is a severe, multisensory
deficiency (combination of visual and hearing
impairments), most times associated with
other types of disability.
Deafblindness causes major difficulties in the
areas of communication, access to
information, orientation and mobility.
Who does SI(R) work for?
Deafblind children
Multisensory impaired children (MSI)
Deafblind youngsters and adults
Families of deafblind/MSI people
Professionals in the fields of education and health
What is the vision of the organisation?
A world in which all deafblind children and adults can become active members of the
society
Photo 19
Photo 20
Photo 19 – Hydrotherapy in Iaşi Photo 20 – Deafblind/MSI class in Iaşi
6
How does SI(R) work?
SI(R) mission is to work in partnership with deafblind people, their families, carers and
specialists, to make sure they have access to counseling, opportunities and support.
Special schools with
deafblind / MSI
classes Early
Intervention
Support
Centres
Profesori
instruiți de
SI(R)
ETELKA CZONDI, Programmes Coordinator eczondi@senseint.org.ro
7
Teachers
trained
by SI(R)
What does the Early Intervention programme do?
The Early Intervention programme is
developed in partnership with national and
local authorities, kindergartens, maternity
units and schools, supporting the hearing
screening and visual testing of newborn
babies, providing them the chance to
benefit from rehabilitation, recuperation
and early intervention services.
The target group of this programme are deafblind/MSI children aged 0-3 and their
families.
What happened in 2011?
In 2011, Sense International (Romania)
supported the hearing screening of 8,524
babies in 4 maternity units (Bucharest,
Oradea and Timisoara) and the visual testing
of 2,158 babies in these three cities.
Photo 21
Photo 22
Photo 21 – Gabriela Jianu, early intervention specialist, Diana Cozma (mother) and Rareş Photo 22 – Dr. Alexandru Pascu, Dr. Gheorghiţa Sardescu and medical nurse Carmen Aronescu
Who are the beneficiaries?
8
40 children diagnosed with sensory impairments were included in the early intervention
programme, based on individual rehabilitation plans within the early intervention support
centres supported by SI(R) in Bucharest, Oradea and Timisoara.
SI(R) developed the first ever Curriculum for Early
Intervention in Romania, dedicated to specialists
involved in providing recuperation, rehabilitation
and early intervention services to deafblind/MSI
children.
This curriculum was developed by psychologist
Gabriela Maria Jianu, special education teacher Eva
Oprea, psychologist Carolina Biro. Consultants:
Univ. Lect. PhD Andrea Hathazi, special education
teacher PhD Mihaela Adriana Moldovan and
physiotherapist Stela Rodica Todea.
Early Intervention for Deafblind/MSI Children –
Curriculum Proposal, Bucharest, 2012
ISBN: 978-973-7694-84-3
Photo 23 Photo 24 Photo 25
Photo 22 – Early Intervention Support Centre Bucharest Photo 23 – Early Intervention Support Centre Oradea Photo 24 - Early Intervention Support Centre Timişoara
RAMONA ANTONIE - Social Worker, Human Resources Coordinator rantonie@senseint.org.ro
9
The aim of the Education programme is to
improve and develop adequate educational
services for deafblind/MSI children and young
adults in Romania.
It is developed in partnership with the Ministry of
Education, Research, Youth and Sports.
What does the Education programme do?
This project addresses deafblind/MSI children in Romania, their parents and families,
teachers and all specialists involved in their education
What happened in 2011?
October 7, 2011: this is the date when the new
methodology applying the Education Law no.
1/2011 came into force regarding special education
(Ministry Order 5.555/07.10.2011). This law allows
establishing and maintaining deafblind/MSI classes
with a maximum o 4 children,
Who are the beneficiaries?
Photo 25
Photo 26
Photo 25 – Education programme in Iaşi Photo 26 – Teachers’ Network Meeting, March 2011, Oradea
10
The importance of an individualized approach in the case of deafblind/MSI
children
SI(R) organised between 19-20 March
2011, in Oradea, the teachers’ network
meeting, bringing together special
education teachers and specialists
working with deafblind/MSI children. The
meeting theme was the importance of an
individualized approach in the case of
deafblind/MSI children.
Among the participants, there were representatives of the Ministry of Education, Research,
Youth and Sports, School Inspectorates from Bucharest, Timis and Bihor, as well as special
education teachers from Bucharest, Buzău, Cluj Napoca, Craiova, Fălticeni, Iaşi Oradea,
Sibiu and Timişoara.
Curriculum for deafblindness/MSI – between theory and practice
The event was organised between October 28-29, in
Bucharest. Besides special education teachers from
Bucharest, Buzău, Craiova, Fălticeni, Iaşi, Oradea, Târgu
Frumos and Timişoara, the meeting was also attended by
Prof. Cristian Alexandrescu, General Inspector and Prof.
Romeo Adrian Cozma, Inspector for Special Education from
the Bucharest School Inspectorate, as well as James
Thornberry, Director of Sense International UK.
TEODORA SEICIUC PR/Communication Coordinator tseiciuc@senseint.org.ro
Photo 27
Photo 28
Photo 26 – Teachers’ Network Meeting, March 2011, Oradea Photo 27 – teachers’ Network Meeting, October 2011, Bucharest
11
BALANCE LEI
ON 31.12.2010 48.585
INCOME 2011 586.500
EXPENDITURE 2011 597.360
BALANCE ON 31.12.2011 37.725
George Salomie Finance Coordinator gsal@senseint.org.ro
12
PARTENERS
INTERNATIONAL Sense UK
Sense International UK ERSTE Foundation
The International Women’s Association of Bucharest (IWA) James Tudor Foundation
Medicor Foundation Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation
Beatrice Laing Trust Haramead Trust
First International Group
NATIONAL Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sports
Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity Babeş – Bolyai University, Special Education Department
Kindergarten for Children with Hearing Impairments Bucharest School for Children with Visual Impairments Bucharest
Special School no.6 "Sf. Nicolae" Bucharest School for Children with Hearing Impairments no. 2 "Sf. Maria" Bucharest
School Centre for Inclusive Education "C. Pufan" Timişoara Theoretical High School "Iris" Timişoara
High School for Children with Visual Impairments Cluj Napoca High School for Children with Hearing Impairments Cluj Napoca
Special School for Children with Hearing Impairments Buzău Special Kindergarten Fălticeni
High School "Moldova" for Children with Visual Impairments Târgu Frumos School Centre for Inclusive Education no. 2 Sibiu
School Centre for Inclusive Sensory Education Oradea Vasile Pavelcu School Iasi
School for Arts and Crafts Paul Popescu Neveanu Galati School Centre for Children with Hearing Impairments Craiova
Bucharest School Inspectorate School Inspectorate Bihor, School Inspectorate Timis
Emergency Hospital St. Pantelimon Bucharest Obstetrics – Gynaecology Clinical Hospital Dr. Ioan Cantacuzino in Bucharest
Obstetrics – Gynaecology Clinical Hospital Oradea Obstetrics – Gynaecology Clinical Hospital Dr. Dumitru Popescu Timisoara
General Department for Social Work and Child Protection Bucharest, Sector 1 and 3 General Department for Social Work and Child Protection Bihor General Department for Social Work and Child Protection Timis
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?SPONSORSHIPS and DONATIONS CAN BE MADE IN :
LEI ACCOUNT:RO05 RNCB 0077 0502 3229 0001 opened with BCR Sector 6
EURO ACCOUNT:RO48 RNCB 0077 0502 3229 0003 opened with BCR Sector 6
DIRECTING 2% OF INCOME TAXOrganisation name:
SENSE INTERNATIONAL (ROMÂNIA) Fiscal Identification Code: 13833304
Account (IBAN): RO05 RNCB 0077 0502 3229 0001
Sense International (Romania)Bvd. Timişoara, no. 27 Block D, Ent. B, Apt. 23, Sector 6, Bucharest
Ph/fax: 0040 21 413 90 40 Ph: 0040 311 075 236www.surdocecitate.ro
www.facebook.com/SenseInternationalRomania
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