From a Parent Perspective:
Together Everyone Achieves More
(Together Europe Achieves More)
Regional
networks of parents support groups:
Do they
work? What is their value?
The majority of blind and partially sighted children in many developing countries have limited access to education and independent living skills services. ICEVI Europe Regional Conference held in Crakow in July 2000 recognised both the lack of services in those countries and the valuable contribution that parents can make in the education of their visually impaired children. We applaud them for facilitating a workshop on parents with the view of setting up a European Network of parent support groups.
The workshop’s theme was “T.E.A.M” Together Everyone Achieves More and it was based on the LOOK London model of setting up and running local parent support groups that can develop to regional and national organisations. Could this model be used for other regions?
Participants were asked to consider the value of such groups. Presentations were made by participants who had had experience working with parents in parent support group settings in their own countries. It was an interactive day with views expressed and ideas and suggestions put forward.
After many contributions and much discussion it was decided that there was (and is) a need to “join the efforts” of parents in different countries within the region through the establishment of parent support groups in countries without such networks.
We decided to call the European Network “T.E.A.M.”, to carry through the theme of our workshop but also because we believed that “Together Europe will Achieve More”.
We have already started working together on joint projects. From organising penfriends between countries in Europe to working together as partners. At present The Moscow Foundation “Parents of the VI” and LOOK London are involved in a Britain-Russia Development Partnership project to respond to and address the needs of MDVI (Multi-Disabled Visually Impaired) children in Russia. More projects are in the pipeline.
Not all of the 39 European Countries at the conference were present at the workshop, so we need to set up structures to ensure that, in due course, there is a “T.E.A.M” group in every country in Europe and a representative and contact person from every country in Europe.
I realise that this is an immense ambition but, with aid from modern technology, a very able information officer and involvement of professionals who work with our VI children I believe that it is achievable.
Column editor:
Tula Baxter
25 Newlands Avenue
Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0HD
UK
Fax/phone: +44 20 8224 0735
e-mail: tulaabaxter@hotmail.com