Nearly 100 municipalities from across Poland took part in a poll organized by the Institute for Regional Development Foundation, under the auspices of the Government Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Administration and Digitization, and the Minister of Education. A total of nine cities received the main prize statuettes in different categories.
At the award ceremony in Krakow, the statuette went to Bartłomiej Skrzyński, Spokesman for the City of Wroclaw for Persons with Disabilities, representing the Mayor of Wroclaw, Rafał Dutkiewicz, for undertaking a number of initiatives that overcome barriers. 'My boss once told me that we work mainly from the heart, not for titles. But I am convinced that the prize will spur us to continue working in Wroclaw - said Skrzyński. 'I will not argue with the jury, under the chairmanship of Minister Jarosław Duda, who chose Wroclaw for the main prize. Instead, I believe a thank you is in order. First of all, to non-governmental organizations, the citizens of Wroclaw and the community, the Wroclaw Consultation Council for Persons with Disabilities, whom I invite to consult and participate in the projects on a daily basis. Without Barriers starts in the head and is then translated into concrete actions. They need interdisciplinarity. That's why we work with municipal bodies and institutions on a regular basis; ECC, MOPS, Wroclaw Stadium, the Airport, ZDiUM, or MPK are just some of them. I have the unique privilege of working with Mayor Rafal Dutkiewicz, who is open to social issues and thanks to whom the problems become a real challenge. It is also thanks to the support of Anna Szarycz, vice mayor of Wroclaw, Jacek Sutryk, head of the Department of Social Affairs, Joanna Nyczak, director of the Department of Health and Social Affairs, Piotr Mazur, Director of City Bureau of Sport, Recreation and Tourism and other departments. Without this team, the stadium, the airport, the Capitol Theatre, the Main Square would not be accessible, and individual aid, the campaigns, the wheelchair tennis tournament, and purchasing disability-friendly buses and many other would not be possible,' stressed Skrzyński. the Local Government of Equal Opportunities project aims to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities - to stimulate their social activity, support independence and personal resourcefulness and providing top class services. 'To achieve this, it is necessary to provide support for the institutions and the entire environment by enabling the exchange of experiences and raising the level of knowledge and skills in the vocational and social rehabilitation,' says Joanna Piwowońska, CEO of FIRR. The project pursues this through m.in. collecting, evaluation and promotion of good practices implemented for people with disabilities by local government units across the country. 'We would like to thank the City for participating in the competition and congratulate success,' stressed Piwowońska. In addition to the main prize, the City of Wroclaw was awarded as the best local government of Lower Silesia and received a diploma of recognition from the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities.
