Aarhus for us all...Aarhus for us all THE CITY OF AARHUS 3 Introduction In Aarhus we want citizens...

Disability Policy of the City of Aarhus

Aarhus for us all- a policy for all citizens of Aarhus


2 THE CITY OF AARHUS

Introduction page 3

Vision page 4

The general objective for theDisability Policy of theCity of Aarhus page 5

The services provided bythe City of Aarhus is based onfour principles page 6

Focus 1: Participation insociety - accessibility page 8

Focus 2: Health and well-being page 10

Focus 3: Education and employment page 11

Focus 4: Culture and recreation page 12

Organization page 13

Table of contents

Aarhus for us all

3THE CITY OF AARHUS

Introduction

In Aarhus we want citizens with disabilities to feelthat they are valued fellow citizens - just as allother citizens. We want them to have equalopportunities when it comes to making use of thecity.

That is why the headline of the Disability Policy ofthe City of Aarhus 2013-2017 reads "Aarhus for usall".

The Disability Policy indicates objectives anddirections as to how the disability perspective isconsidered in all projects and services of the Cityof Aarhus from the very beginning.

The primary target group of the Disability Policy iscitizens with disabilities, however, the policy alsoap-plies to citizens with mental vulnerability, cf.the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons withDisabilities 2007. The policy also applies torelatives, City employees, and the rest of society.We have a joint re-sponsibility to create a city inwhich citizens with disabilities may have a goodlife and also be able to leave their mark on the city.

The Disability Policy includes a vision, objective,four principles for the services that the City ofAarhus offers to citizens with all types ofdisabilities, four focus areas, and a plan fororganizing the attainment of objectives.

In this policy we focus on developing and

rethinking our efforts. One way of accomplishingthis is through collaboration across organizationallines and by including the whole city in the vision -Aarhus for us all.

We encourage rethinking and new thinking inorder to achieve the best possible conditions oflife and solutions within the given framework. Theguidelines provided in the policy is a frameworkthat supports the development of a culture whichensures that we interact with each otherregardless of our abilities or lack thereof. A policydoes not provide sanctioning power but ratherindicates a direction.

The policy is based on the UN Convention on theRights of Persons with Disabilities, the threevalues of the City of Aarhus, as well as input andparticipation of interest groups, industry, culturalinstitutions, edu-cational institutions, Cityemployees, and other contributors. (please seethe website of the Disability Council).

Experiences from London, including "Transportfor London", City of London", "Inclusion London",and also a number of relevant experts has beenobtained. The purpose has been to benefit fromthe London experiences gathered throughout allprojects leading up to the Olympic andParalympic Games in 2012 which had to consideraccessibility.

Introduction



The vision of the Disability Policy of the City ofAarhus is:

Aarhus is a city in which citizens with disabilitiesactively participate and take part in thecommunity and contribute according to theirabilities. We consider all citizens to be a resourcefor our city. We want to ensure that all citizens aregiven the option to live an independent life andthat all have equal opportunities to be an activeand full member of society.

The general vision for the City of Aarhus is"Aarhus - a good city for us all", where:

Everyone must have the opportunity to takeresponsibility for his or her own life and toutilize his or her abilities

We have a joint responsibility to help those whoneed it

We welcome variety and diversity

The vision reflects the fact that the City of Aarhushas a deliberate view on how the interaction withciti-zens should take place - specifically expressedin the three values of the City: Reliability, Respect,and Commitment

Focus is on citizen participation and belonging toa community. To have social responsibilities thatprovide rights and obligations in the developmentof the community. We must provide citizens withdisabilities the opportunity to feel that they areequal members of society - a society that respectsand accepts the limitations a disability causes.Citizens with disabilities must be provided withthe help and support they need in order toparticipate in the community on their own terms.

We must work across organizational lines in orderfor us to create a city where everyone is welcome.The public sector, the private sector, thevolunteers, and the rest of society must joinforces in order to create a city that is for us all.The knowledge and commitment of everyonemust be unified in a continuous effort to rethinkand reinvent the framework for "the good life".

Vision

Aarhus for us all

5THE CITY OF AARHUS

The general objective is that the citizens areprovided with the help that best serves theiroverall situation in life. At the same time theobjective is for the urban environment to beadapted in such a way that it provides accessibilityfor all citizens. This help is provided on basis of asolid and well-considered profes-sionalism fromCity employees as well as the City.

We also hope that the implementation of theDisability Policy will help strengthen thecollaboration - and with that the cohesion - acrossboth the City, the volunteer organizations,industry, cultural institutions, and interest groups.

Our wish is for the primary target group, i.e.citizens with disabilities and their network, to:

experience cohesion in all efforts, through acoordinated effort across organizational lines inthe City

feel that they are active participants at all levels,through dialogue and follow-up procedureswith relevant departments in the City

receive support in developing usable solutionsand strategies that help citizens in developing agood life through a respectful approach to theresources that the citizen and his or hernetwork represents.

experience being met with reliability, respect,and commitment through an accommodatingand inquisitive attitude towards the specificsituation of the individual.

The English ship "Tenacious" is constructed in such amanner that it is accessible to the disabled. The shiphas room for 16 people with disabilities. The ship atPort of Aarhus during Tall Ships Races 2013

The general objective of the Disability Policy of the City of Aarhus



In working with the citizen the City of Aarhusbases its approach on a wide range of options andmethods that enables the individual citizen tomake choices that are as independent as at allpossible. In regards to both children, youngpeople, and adults with disabilities the effort isbased on a comprehensive and knowledge-basedapproach which covers a wide range ofpossibilities in order to ensure that the citizenreceives the best possible service.

The citizen has a variety of needs and possibilitiesfor self-realisation and independence.Our range of services offered is at all timesdynamic and targeted the current citizens ofAarhus.

Our focus is bilateral in that we work towardsboth strengthening the individual citizen at apersonal level but also at strengthening thesurroundings so that they become moreaccessible and inclusive. This re-quires theemployees to be aware of the specific overallsurroundings in which their particular effort takesplace.

A disability rarely just disappears by itself.However, the consequences may be reducedthrough the use of aids, including digital aids.This is why it is important to recognize thechallenges that a disability causes. City of Aarhusemployees therefore approach a citizen withrespect for their needs and resources.

We focus on ensuring that the citizen becomes asindependent as possible and to the extent that itmakes sense. This means that we focus on:

The resources of the citizen rather than thelimitations.

The citizen's actual options for making anindependent, meaningful and contributing lifefor him or herself.

Helping the citizen see and utilize theresources in his or her immediate environmentwith the objective of improving his or heroverall situation in life.

Ensuring that the City of Aarhus provides awide range of options and methods enablingindividuals to become as independent aspossible.

The citizen experiencing the help of the City asa framework for continued development leadingto the citizen being able to make more choiceson his or her own behalf.

The leading principles in the Disability Policy ofthe City of Aarhus for adults with disabilities is 1)Em-powerment, 2) Recovery, 3) Rehabilitation,and 4) Habilitation.

1) EmpowermentEmpowerment means that our collaboration withcitizens strengthens the resources of theindividual. We base our collaboration with theindividual on their current situation, and worktowards strengthening the individual's ability tobetter take control of their own life in matterssuch as education, employment, rec-reation,health, and social life.

2) RecoveryA recovery process is a unique process of theindividual citizen towards a life that is bothsatisfactory and contributory even with thelimitations that the disability causes. The City ofAarhus professionals are charged with the task ofsupporting this process in the best way possible.

3) RehabilitationRehabilitation means focusing on a citizen as "awhole"- physically, mentally, and socially. In ourcollabo-ration with the citizen the employee of theCity focuses on helping the citizen make a

The services provided by the City of Aarhus is based on four principles


7THE CITY OF AARHUS

meaningful and independent life for him orherself. Our help is based on a coordinated,coherent, and knowledge-based effort which mustimprove the individual citizen's overall situationin life.

4) HabilitationHabilitation means "to develop new skills" andthe purpose is to support the development of acitizen with congenital or early acquiredimpairment. Habilitation is a general, coherent,and overall effort following the citizen from veryearly childhood throughout adolescence and intoadulthood with a constant focus on learning.

The overall objective of habilitation is tocontinuously strengthen and develop the potentialand the skills that a citizen with disabilities havein order to attain the highest possible degree ofindependence and quality of life for the individualcitizen. This includes implementing efforts thatfurther the best possible physical function,learning capacity, independence, and confidenceas well as support the development of theindividual citizen's active participation in a sociallife.

Habilitation is a long-term effort with no timelimit in which long-term learning pathways areplanned and in which foreseeable transitionsbetween systems are handled.

Aarhus for us all


IntroductionIn the City of Aarhus we wish to - if at all possible -dissolve the barriers that may hinder all citizensbeing able to actively take part in society and lifein our city. That's why we focus on urbanenvironment and surroundings and how thesefactors may be optimized in order to provide thebest accessibility possible in our city for the mostcitizens possible.

ObjectiveIt is the objective of the City of Aarhus to ensureboth physical and mental accessibility for allcitizens. Accessibility must be considered in allactivities and areas. This includes IT solutions,signposting, and communication in general. Oneexample is that in any building project we focuson both mental and physical accessibility from thevery beginning.

The city must be accessible for citizens with oneor more disabilities - whether they be physical,mental or sensorial. Public transportation andtransportation for citizens with disabilities mustbe complementary. We emphasize that the citymust offer the best possible conditions forcitizens to be able to move around freely.

This is how we workIn accordance with article 9 regarding accessibilityas well as article 19 regarding the right to live aninde-pendent life of the UN Convention on theRights of Persons with Disabilities, we work toensure that citi-zens with disabilities "have equal

access to physical surroundings andtransportation, to information andcommunication (including information andcommunication technology and systems) as wellas other con-veniences and services open to thepublic in both urban and rural districts".

This means that:City employees communicate with thecontributors in the local community regardingconsiderations on accessibility whenestablishing new facilities, buildings, and publicareas. In order to support this effort theDepartment of Social Affairs and Employmentheld a conference in October 2013 titled "Myentrance to my own life" focusing on the livingconditions of the future as well as public spacesin Aarhus.

We insist on maintaining a line ofcommunication with cultural players in regardsto considerations on both physical and mentalaccessibility from day one in order to ensure thehighest possible degree of accessibility at allcultural events for all citizens.

We make use of welfare technological solutions,including digital services, which supportindependence in regards to planing one's dailylife and which may also provide virtualcommunities for citizens with dis-abilities suchas autism and ADHD - citizens who may attimes find it challenging to take part in physicalcommunities for extended periods at a time.

Focus 1: Participation in society - accessibility


9THE CITY OF AARHUS

This means we aim to ensure that citizens beable to participate in public events, culturalevents, etc. without actually being physicallypresent. Digital aids support the objective thatpublic events, cultural events, websites, andpublic areas be accessible for all citizens*.

The City has a special obligation towardsensuring that those citizens that struggle themost and those citizens with disabilities thatare most at-risk are included in the localcommunities.

Aarhus for us all


IntroductionThe Disability Policy is developed in connectionwith the City of Aarhus Health Policy and basedhereupon all citizens must have the option to livegood, healthy, and long lives. Any citizen,regardless of their disabilities, must be affordedequal opportunities.

ObjectiveCitizens with disabilities must be afforded theopportunity to live a life with a high degree ofquality of life and good health.

Citizens with disabilities must be afforded theopportunity to disengage from treatment, careand assis-tance to the extend that this is possible.

The citizens must share in the responsibility oftheir own health and well-being to extend that thisis pos-sible. In cases where a professionalassessment deems it necessary the City mustprovide a citizen the support needed to achievegood health and well-being.

This is how we workIn order to support article 25 of the UNConvention on the Rights of Persons withDisabilities, "Health", we will:

Provide help for citizens to ensure they have theoption of living healthy lives because we believethat equal opportunities regarding health alsopaves the way for equal opportunities to live anactive life.

Help the individual citizen to achieve an activelife with education, employment, culture,sports, and an active social life. Well-being andhealth are closely linked and are often two sidesof the same coin.

Strive to enable the individual citizen the abilityto act as independently as possible in order toensure the highest possible sense of well-being.

This is done by making sure we always offer awide range of options and methods andcontinuously strive to enable the individualcitizen to be as resourceful and independent aspossible. This is always done in dialogue withthe individual citizen and his or her relativesbecause that way we can meet the individualneeds within the given framework.

To consider the health perspective in everychoice we make. Citizens are all individuals -therefore we target our work towards all socialgroups, including citizens with disabilities.

Ensure diversity in our services so that allcitizens have equal opportunities to live a goodand healthy life.

Focus 2: Health and well-being


11THE CITY OF AARHUS

IntroductionCitizens with disabilities must - to the extendpossible - be included in daytime services, clubservices, the public school system, educationalenvironments and in all communities. One way todo this is through continued focus on inclusiveenvironments.

ObjectiveThat a citizen can achieve an education andemployment despite his or her disabilities. That aminimum of 95% of a year group should achievean education and this includes children andyoung people with disabilities.

To establish dialogue and collaboration with boththe public and private sector to ensure thatcitizens with disabilities have access to the labourmarket.

To support the development of equal opportunitycommunities in which all citizens are welcome.

This is how we workIn accordance with article 24 and 27 of the UNConvention on the Rights of Persons withDisabilities we work to ensure that citizens withdisabilities have genuine access to both educationand employment.

This means that:

We make sure the needed dialogue withindustry and educational institutions is inexistence.

We support and help further developcommunities.

We lead the way when it comes to includingcitizens with disabilities on the labour market.Through meet-ings and by providinginformation we bridge the gap betweenknowledge and practical experiences.

We invite relevant collaborators, such asemployment services and representatives fromindustry, to work with us to ensure that ourlabour market is accessible for citizens withdisabilities.

We contribute to ensure that citizens withdisabilities are viewed as a resource in both theeducational system as well as the labourmarket.

We ensure that our employees have the neededqualifications to meet the various needs of thecitizens.

We make sure to support the individual citizenin his or her transition from childhood toadulthood.

We prepare an annual employment plan forJobcenter Aarhus (i.e. the local employmentoffice). Among other things, the plan describeshow citizens with physical and mental disabilitiescan be further integrated in the labour market andeducational system.

The City of Aarhus maintains focus on theinteraction between businesses and citizens withdisabilities. We strive to make it easier forbusinesses to hire and include citizens withdisabilities.

Focus 3: Education and employment

Aarhus for us all


IntroductionThe options in Aarhus are plentiful when it comesto cultural services and facilities as well as leisureac-tivities. We believe that an active cultural andleisure life is a source of joy and well-being for all.Aarhus must be a diverse and inclusive city - alsowhen it comes to cultural services and facilities aswell as lei-sure activities.

ObjectiveAll citizens must have access to participate andcontribute to communities and to culturalservices and facilities.

This is how we workIn order to comply with article 30 of the UNConvention on the Rights of Persons withDisabilities regard-ing access to participation incultural services and facilities, recreationalservices, leisure time activities, and sports westrive to create the framework in the followingway:

We focus on accessibility at sports facilities,libraries, and cultural institutions - this coversboth building planning and information forcitizens on things such as which buildings areADA accessible.

We support activities and services that have aspecial focus on citizens with disabilities.

The City of Aarhus will contribute to thedevelopment of new initiatives when possibleand relevant and we are open for new ideas asto how to handle known challenges - thereforewe ensure strong dialogue across variousauthoritative bodies and volunteers.

We support the build-up of social coherence inlocal communities that include citizens withdisabilities.

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Focus 4: Culture and recreation

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13THE CITY OF AARHUS

IntroductionThe City of Aarhus works to ensure that therealization of the objectives in the Disability Policyis a joint effort in which all departments of theCity take part and also in collaboration withindustry, shopping cen-tres, the publictransportation sector, educational institutions,interest groups on tourism and industry, interestgroups on athletics and sports, athleticassociations for citizens with disabilities, disabilityasso-ciations, employees of the City of Aarhus,and a number of other contributors.

We strive to ensure that the implementation of theDisability Policy contributes to further cohesionand active citizenship in Aarhus.

For this to be possible we encourage dialogue andinvolvement. The intent is to ensure that thepolicy becomes an active tool in specificcollaboration on efforts that further the objectivesdescribed under the sections of the four focusareas.

ObjectiveOur objective is to ensure collaboration acrosssectors in order to create a city that is functionalfor citi-zens with disabilities. We want our city tobe one in which the four focus areas areguidelines and in which the specific efforts arecoherent.

This is how we workThe City of Aarhus strives for a non-bureaucraticand involving organization that createscollaboration and synergy in the effort to reach theobjectives in the four focus areas.

The Disability Council Office in the Mayor'sDepartment is responsible for arranging annualmeetings in the form of large workshops.Representatives from industry, shopping centres,public transportation, edu-cational institutions,the city association, Visit Aarhus, disability

organizations, City employees and a number ofother contributors are invited to participate.

At these annual workshops the City of Aarhusprovides a framework in which new ideas canemerge and existing practice can be reconsidered.In this manner we attempt to create a networkacross organizations etc. that can gain use of eachothers' knowledge, experience, and resources.

The Disability Council Office is in charge of theorganization and information regarding theannual work-shops but we invite any interestedparty to participate in the planning and holding ofthe event. The first workshop is held in the thefirst quarter of 2014 and all four focus areas are onthe agenda.

At the workshop we will collect ideas as to whichelements should be part of an effort catalogueand con-sequent action plans for the individualareas. Also, how to best organize a collaborationon these elements that reach acrossorganizational lines. This ensures that the actionplan will contribute to Aarhus becoming a city inwhich citizens with disabilities participate activelyand contributes to the best of their abilities.

The workshop is repeated every year in June whichwill ensure that the Disability Policy iscontinuously considered in relation to otherpolicies, perhaps a future policy on activecitizenship.

To ensure the internal anchorage within the City ofAarhus' own organization the plan is for theDisability Policy to be discussed and adjustedannually in both the City's strategic managementforum and the City Council.

Organization

Would you like more information?

To find more information on theservices provided by the City ofAarhus for citizenswith disabilities please seewww.aarhus.dk

The Disability Council of the City ofAarhus may becontacted through:

The Disability Council OfficeThe Mayor's DepartmentCity HallDK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

Phone (+45) 8940 2304E-mail: [email protected]

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