Building Inclusive Society and Participatory Democracy through Empowering People with Disabilities and their Organizations September 28 - October 10, 2015 Yerevan, Armenia

Professional Fellows Program (PFP) Outbound Project Narrative Report

PFP Spring 2015 Fellow: Kristina Hovhannisyan, Program Officer Human Dignity and Peace Foundation

US Participant: Barbara Fischlowitz-Leong, Executive Director Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (ATRC) Honolulu, Hawaii

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Table of Content 1. Introduction: Project goals and objectives ................................................................3 2. Project implementation .............................................................................................4 3. Final Program ……………………………………………………………………..15

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1.Introduction: Project goals and objectives Mrs. Barbara Fischlowitz-Leong's visit became true and was funded by the USA State Department within the «Professional Fellows Program». The aim of the visit was to learn issues and state policy concerning people with disabilities in Armenia, programs being implemented by local and international organizations as well as to present and share the experience in problem solving and regulating processes in the USA. The main goals and objectives of the project are the following:

Project Goals   

To improve the Armenian Disability NGOs and NPOs staff and members capacities in Advocacy. To empower the Armenian Disability NGOs and NPOs staff for active participation in social and decision-making process. To encourage the Governmental sector to be more open and inclusive in policymaking process in order to promote civil society and participatory democracy.

Project Objectives       

To raise awareness of NGOs and NPOs staff and members on their rights and opportunities. To provide practical information and skills to NGOs and NPOs staff and members for analyzing and monitoring the policy making processes. To make presentations on assistive technology on the importance of disabled people to be fully included in society. To provide information and examples on how the assistive technology could help persons with disabilities in a fully inclusive in society. To make presentations of successful cooperation of Governmental and Non Governmental organizations. To stress importance of this cooperation in order to include all possible suggestions and find the best solution. To provide information on the law making process, to make practical suggestions about the Disability Draft Law according to Americans with Disability Act.

Taking into consideration that the outbound project is an exchange of best practices, it was mutually beneficial both for American and Armenian counterparts. They shared their experience, knowledge and skills within their particular fields, as well as tried to reflect on possible further cooperation prospects in fields of mutual interest.

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2. Project implementation It was a great pleasure for me to host Mrs Fischlowitz-Leong in Armenia for two weeks first of all as an Experienced US Proffesional and of course as a special guest for our family. During the 2 active working weeks in Armenia a number of meetings were organized. Among them meetings with American Councils Armenia, Save the Children LIFE team and implementing partners "Unison" and "Full Life" NGOs and "Human Dignity and Peace" foundation staff, deputy minister of Labour and Social Issues, representatives of Ministry of Education and Science, Employment Agency and centers, NGOs, Yerevan State University students, as well as meeting with staff and students of special school number 14. Among the important meetings was the meeting with the USA deputy ambassador Price Woodford and press attaché John Goshert during which the importance of usage of assistive technologies in independent life of individuals with disabilities was discussed.

Day 1 28 September, 2015 Before start the program we had an important introductory meeting in American Councils Office in Yerevan with Karen Smith, Country Director, and Nane Abrahamyan, PFP Coordinator. During the meeting we discussed the goals and objectives of the program as well as the schedule of program activities. Mrs FischlowitzLeong told about her experience and expressed her readiness to cooperate with governmental and nongovernmental organizations within the framework of the PFP. The continuation of the day was just as exciting as the beginning since we were invited to the PFP PreDeparture dinner, where my guest had an opportunity to get acquainted with PFP alumni group. And fellows who were going to leave for USA had a chance to get first hand information about the country, culture and other issues of interest from Mrs Fischlowitz-Leong.

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Day 2 29 September, 2015 The second day started with travelling to the Shirak region, particularly to the second largest city in Armenia called Gyumri, where were held a number of meetings with governmental and nongovernmental organizations. First of all we visited Lentex Factory, an enterprise specializing in socks and knitwear manufacturing, where a large number of people with disabilities were employed. We had a productive meeting with head of Lentex Factory staff Susanna Astoyan. During the meeting there was discussed the importance of using disabled people working potential and abilities. Mrs Fischlowitz-Leong presented her experience in this field especially the using assistive technologies during working process. There was organized a guided tour in the factory for Mrs Fischlowitz-Leong and she spend a pleasant time with employees who had disabilities. In the afternoon we took part in Employers Forum which was organized by Gyumri employment center. Almost 35 employers, local municipality’s and different nongovernmental organizations’ representatives participated in that forum, where a special part was devoted to employment issues of persons with disabilities. During the meeting a number of interesting issues were discussed as well as questions were asked about international experience, especially US best practices. The last meeting of the day was with Gayane Grigoryan, Deputy President of Agat NGO and with staff of the NGO. The main goal of the NGO is to promote the social integration of girls and women with disabilities in Shirak Region and encourage them to live independent lives. During the meeting Mrs Grigoryan presented NGO’s experience and projects in disability issues sphere. As an experienced specialist in Independent Living field Mrs Fischlowitz-Leong provided some tips and advice on how to improve the quality projects activities implementation.

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Day 3 30 September, 2015 On the third day we visited a massive and effective event, which was organized by Abovyan Employment Center in Kotayq Region. Overall 37 employers with 114 current and 33 upcoming vacancies and more than 900 job seekers, approximately 100 of whom were people with disabilities, participated in the Job Fair. Its worth to mention that Abovyan job fair was an event that contributed to job seekers to find job, employers to find employee with required qualification and the Employment Center to make employment projects more targeted and more reachable. It was dynamic process of exchanging the information between job seekers and employers. As our visit's aim was to communicate with people with disabilities and employers and share US professional's experince with them, Mrs Fischlowitz-Leong and me went to the each pavillion, discussed with employers about their viewpoints and attitude toward people with disabilities working potential and abilities. Moreover Mrs Fischlowitz-Leong had different discussions with job seekers with disabilities, she shared her own experience how not to give up and continue to fight for own rights and opportunities. And in the end of the working day head of Abovyan employment center expressed his gratitude for Mrs Fischlowitz-Leong's visit and interactive work with people with disabilities and employers. After long working day we visited to Tsitsernakaberd, Armenian Genocide Memrorial, and Genocide Museum.

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Day 4 01 Ocotber, 2015

The next working day started in my organization with meeting with Ruzanna Ter-Ghazaryan, Executive Director of “Human Dignity and Peace Foundation”. The discussion was about US best experiences in policy-making and implementing processes and possibilities to practice some of them in Armenia. Moreover Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong share some information on fundraising process as well as she showed some financial sources which could be used by nongovernmental organizations to implement job-oriented and right protection projects in Armenia. Both interlocutors were satisfied with the meeting and in the end they share some souvenirs and presents with each other. The continuation of the working day was also spectacular as we visited to “Prkutyun” Salvation NGO, center for children and youth with intellectual challenges. We met with Mrs. Arpine Abrahamyan, head of the NGO and Ms Anush Eghiazaryan, project manager. The discussion was about problems and obstacles that people with intellecual challenges faced with in Armenia, as well as about state policy and projects that are not enough to integrate that people into society. Ms Eghiazaryan kindely orginesed a tour whithin the “Prkutyun” Salvation NGO, during which we met with children and youth with intellectual challenges, their families and trainers. And we also got acquainted with projects that NGO were implementing. Moreover we took part in some of their trainings. Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong was so impressed with the NGO's projects, qualified employees and warm and professional atmosphere in the organization that donated some money to them.

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Day 5 02 Ocotber, 2015 Friday was quite busy as well. We visited to Artashat employment center, which was in Ararat Region. The meeting was with Vachik Avetisyan, head of employment center. During the meeting a discussion was held about employment issues of people with disabilities, current employment situation and labor market in Armenia. Mr. Avetisyan did a detaled presentation on state employment projects for job seekers with disabilities and employers. He mentioned that in addition to the employers' attitude and stereotypical way of thinking issues in Armenia we had also lack of motivation of working or fighting for their own rights among people with disabilities. Furthermore Mr. Avetisyan presented MAST Test equipment, which was an efficient tool for assessing the physical capacity of people with disabilities. The opportunity to have such equipment became true within the framework of “Livelihood Improvement tհrough Fostered Employment (LIFE) for People with Disabilities Program” which was financed by USAID. Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong had an opportunity to be tested through this equipment. She mentioned that it was a great tool which would let employment centers' specialists to have an objective picture of persons’ abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Moreover it would let the specialist to guide job seekers to labor market and job places in more targeted way. And in the end of the meeting both interlocators shared visit cards and souvenirs and express their readiness to cooperate. And the end of the Friday we spent our time in a cozy restaurant with my beloved friends and best Armenian wines.

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Day 6-7 03-04 Ocotber, 2015 During that two days I had a chance to show to my guest some sightseengs, to organize some cultural activities and of course to spent pleasant time with my friends and family in my hometown Goris. We did a cultural and historical tour started from Yerevan and visited Areni Wine Festival, Noravank Monestery, Tatever Rope Way, Tatev Monestery, Goris town and Sevan lake.

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Day 8 05 Ocotber, 2015 Monday we started with formal meetings. First of all we met with Mrs. Jemma Baghdasaryan, Deputy Labor and Social Issues Minister. During the meeting a discussion was held about ADA principles and implementing mechanisms, as well as early intervention and assistive

technology

importance.

Mrs.

Fischlowitz-Leong

introduced

the

advantages of using the assistive technology in education process, especially intellectual challenges.

for

persons and Moreover

with physical She

presented an idea about using Microsoft programs in order to be able to promote independent living opportunities and conditions for people with disabilities. The idea was accepted with great enthusiasm and Deputy Minister expressed her willingness to cooperate in future, as she realized the importance of assistive technologies in the everyday changing world. Approximately the same topic was discussed during the meeting with Tsoghik Bejanyan, Employment State Agency representative. Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong introduced the employment policy for jobseekers with disabilities under ADA principles. A discussion was held about the current situation in Armenia and US Professional made suggestions for improving the policy making process and programs. The importance and opportunities of using the assistive technologies in job coaching and mentoring process were also discussed and Mrs. Bejanyan assured that the idea would be promoted after discussing with different stakholders. After a hard working day we headed to Etchmiadzin, the center of Armenian spirituality.

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Day 9 06 Ocotber, 2015 The ninth day of our project started with visiting to the US Embassy in Armenia. We were lucky to have a chance to meet with US Embassy press attaché John Goshert, Alumni Coordinator Lusine Mkrtchyan and American Councils Country Director Karen Smith. During the meeting the importance of usage of assistive technologies in independent life and employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities was discussed. US Ambassy suggested and supported the organization of meeting with Microsoft Innovation Center in Armenia. During the meeting we were invited to be part of a wonderful performance in the theater named after Hakob Paronyan in the same evening. “Girl on the Moon” was a great show and touching dance performance highlighting the strength of people with disabilities and the importance of inclusion. In honor of the performance a reception was organized in Armenia Marriot hotel, where we had chance to met the USA deputy ambassador Price Woodford, with whom we had discussion about our project and planned meeting with Microsoft innovation Center in Armenia.

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Day 10 07 Ocotber, 2015 As Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong showed her interest in visitng to Visually Impaired Children’s school I organized a meeting with students and shcool staff. It was a very impressive meeting as Deputy Director Mrs Ruzanna Grigoryan showed to us the whole school, even we had a guided tour in the library of the school. Moreover we had a chance to see the study process during different classes and we were pleased to listen to a wonderful performance of an ethnic Armenian song by the students. At the same time we had a brief discussion with school staff about importance and opportunities of using the assistive technologies. The school’s special educator Andranik Grigoryan presented the methodology of teaching children and youth with visual impairments and also he presented the computer room where students had chance to use a little piece of assistive technologies. In the end of the discussion Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong shared information about “Helen Keller” foundation and showed some possible financial sources. With the great support of US Embassy we had a productive meeting in Microsoft Innovation Center in the afternoon. The project manager Sona Martrosyan briefly presented the vision and strategy of Microsoft Innovation Center in Yerevan. It was quite interesting to realize that among 120 Innovative Centers in all over the world Yerevan Center was in top five. Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong promote the idea of using Microsoft accessible programs for providing job opportunities and independent living conditions. Ms. Martirosyan assured that Microsoft’s policy is nondiscriminatory so they are open to discuss all possibilities and opportunities of using Microsoft programs in order to provide equal access to assistive technologies. So we get an agreement on further cooporation. And the completion of the wonderful day was a spectacular dinner with PFP Fellows who completed internships in Hawaii. Moreover, Mrs. FischlowitzLeong was host mom of Arshak Gasparyan, who spent a month in Hawaii in 2013.

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Day 11-12 08-09 Ocotber, 2015 The last two working days were as busy as the all period of the project. We had a number of meetings with nongovernmental and international organizations such as “Unison” and “Voice of Silent” NGOs, “Full Life” DPO, “HDP” Foundation, “Save the Children International”-s LIFE team and Yerevan State University's Social Work Department. During meetings Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong provided a brief introductory about their rights and responsibilities, as well about monitoring and analyzing mechanisms. She empowered them to be more active in public processing in order to be able to raise the voice of persons with disabilities. She encouraged them to take active participation in decision-making process. Moreover US Professional presented the importance and opportunities of using the assistive technologies in daily life, educational process and employment field. Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong had half-day training on Assistive Technologies for Social Work Department students and lecturers in Yerevan State University.

In addition to the formal meeting we had many other non-formal, entertaining and familiarization meetings and events. We visited to the Matenadaran, National Gallery of Armenia, National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet after A. Spendiaryan, Armenian traditional restaurants and etc. On the very last morning I took Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong to the place called Vernisaj, which is one of the tourists favorite places. She enjoyed walking and watching around and buying typical Armenian souvenirs for the family and friends. Mrs. Fischlowitz-Leong left Armenia ready and willing for any possible collaboration in future.

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And here are some photos that will give you an idea on how we spent our free time in Yerevan and different places in Armenia.

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3. Final program Day 28 September

Activity/Meeting Topic

Location & With Whom

 Arrival to Armenia, pick-up

 Zvartnots International Airport

 Meeting in American Councils

 American Councils Armenia Office  Chrents 28 Restourante

office in Yerevan  Dinner

with

PFP

Alumni

group

29 September

 Meeting with Lentex LLC staff  Participation

in

Gyumri, Shirak Region

Employers

Forum  Meeting with Agat NGO 30 September

01 October

 Participation in Job Fair  Visit to Genocide Museum

 Abovyan, Kotayq Region

 Visit to Human Dignity and

 Yerevan

 Yerevan

Peace Foundation  Visit to “Prkutyun” Salvation NGO 02 October

 Visit to Artshat Employment

 Artashat, Ararat Region

Center 03-04 October Cultural and historical tour to Areni, Yerevan-Goris-Sevan-Yerevan Noravanq Church, Tatev Monestery and Tatev Rope way, Lake Sevan.

05 October

 Meeting with Deputy Labor with

Employment

 Yerevan  Etchmiadzin

and Social Issues Minister  Meeting

/overnight in Goris/

State Agency

Representative  Tour to Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin 06 October

 Visit

to

US

Embassy

of

 Yerevan

Armenia 15

 “Girl

on

the

moon”

performance 07 October

 Yerevan Special School N 14

 Yerevan

for Visually Impaired Children  Visit to Microsoft Innovation Center in Yerevan  Guided

tour

in

National

Gallery of Armenia  Dinner

with

PFP

Hawaii

Fellows 08-09 October

 Meeting with “Unison” NGO

 Yerevan

 Meeting with “Voice of Silent” NGO  Meeting with Foundation

“HDP”

 Meeting with “ Save the Children International”  Training with social work department students and lecturers in Yerevan State University  Visit to National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet after A. Spendiaryan 10 October

 Visit to Vernisaj

 Yerevan

 Farewell Dinner 11 October

 Departure from Yerevan

 Drop off at Zvartnots International Airport

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