In Warsaw there are no innovative ideas concerning apartments for the physically disabled, alone, dependent, which would be an alternative to stay in “special centers”. Creating an innovative solution would be an example for local governments having EU financial assets for the fulfillment of the tasks related to the deinstitutionalization of help at their disposal.

 

A group of the disabled will be generating considerably lower costs related to the employment of assistants or physical therapists and it will be very attractive financially. One person rendering assistance with activities, which cannot be self-provided, will replace several assistants working within the premises of the whole city. Similarly, with the organization of transport. To transport people living in distant places to one place is not only difficult to coordinate, but also costs a lot and is time-consuming which prevents other disabled from reaching their destinations.

 

The Home of Mutual Aid [Dom Pomocy Wzajemnej] is a set of a few apartments for up to 10 people, depending on the number of people interested in the project and obtained financial support. Regardless of the scope of the project the apartments belong to the Association, whether with additional elements (commercial premises: a shop, beauty saloon) or without them, and will be gradually used by new generations of disabled seniors (requiring physical support) who are professionally and/or socially active.

 

The apartments within the scope of the project the Home of Mutual Aid will be:

- located in one building, on the ground floor,                                   

- the Home will be comprised of the following, depending on the received funding:

 

PART A:

- 5 (or more) one-room or two-room individually adjusted apartments for the organizers – people developing the project,

- 2 functional apartments (optional, depending on the amount of received funding):

 

* THE FIRST APARTMENT: 2-room apartment including: a room for the organizers serving administrative functions and running classes for the local community (legal counseling, information point for the disabled from the city), the second room for assistants working for the disabled residents;

 

* THE SECOND ONE-ROOM APARTMENT (single or double) – a place where the motorically disabled can test the usefulness of various solutions and technical equipment during their temporary stay before taking the decision to apply for co-financing. An apartment equipped with model conveniences for the disabled (remote controlled height of the washbasin, windows and doors opened with voice or remote control, photocell controlled taps, beds with adjustable height, stair climber, lifts and other devices specially designed for the disabled, including e.g. furniture).

 

Part B: (depending on received funding):

Common part: a living room with a terrace and kitchen annexe for the sake of integration, organization of lectures, meetings, speeches and other forms of professional-cultural activity which can be organized due to professional qualifications;

 

Part C: (depending on received funding):

Independent area, provided for the inhabitants from the outside; serves two functions: makes life of the hosts easier and serves the community. This part will be comprised of:

a – beauty and hair saloon adjusted to the needs of clients who are wheelchair users,

b – rehabilitation saloon, a small room with a bed for individual exercises: slings,

c - a small shop with diversified assortment.