| Abstract [eng] |
Deaf people‘s civic participation in local authority is analysed in final Master‘s paper “Deaf people‘s legal and institutional mechanisms of civic participation in local authority“. This paper aims to analyze deaf people’s legal and institutional mechanisms of civic participation in local authority and evaluate cooperation opportunities of public organizations, public authorities, and sign language interpreting centers, in order to promote the deafs participation in civic activities. The thesis consists of three main parts, conclusions, recommendations, references and supplements. Theoretical insights of citizens' participation are presented in the first part. In order to emphasize the importance of participation, decision-making methods of citizens' participation is analysed as well as legislative framework which regulates participation of citizens (including the disabled). In the second part the system of active institutional mechanisms in local authorities of the Republic of Lithuania, which promotes full integration of the deafs into society as well as the interaction of these institutions, that has not been analysed in the context of public administration in Lithuania yet, is analysed. The third part presents the results of complex research performed. The research showed that the deafs, albeit poorly, but nevertheless are involved in civic activities of the Republic of Lithuania. Objective and subjective reasons such as: lack of sign language interpreters, insufficient access to information for the deafs, changed funding procedures for deaf rehabilitation centers, poor cooperation among organization leaders, lack of deaf education, lack of people with leadership skills in a deaf community and disappointment with political leaders determine passive participation. |
