| Abstract [eng] |
This paper aims to research the cooperation of organizations representing only (and) persons with physical disabilities with governmental and municipal institutions and agencies. Various studies show that disability organisations play an important role in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, significantly increasing their participation, accessibility, and well-being. Various legal acts require or recommend including such organisations in decision-making processes and in other ways increasing their participation in policy formation and implementation. However, in practice, challenges still arise for various reasons. Some institutions are not interested in cooperating with them (McVeigh et al., 2021; Cote, 2020; Kvieskienė and Kvieska, 2012). This is also influenced by bureaucratization, negative societal attitudes, passivity and fears of persons with disabilities, inaccessible infrastructure, etc. (Beneševičiūtė, 2015; Noreikienė and Žilinskas, 2017; Beneševičiūtė, 2021). Within the framework of this study, a qualitative research was conducted (semi-structured interviews) with employees of organizations representing persons with physical disabilities, municipal administrations, ministries, and an agency. The results show that the inclusion and (or) engagement of representatives of disability NGOs is partly determined by legal obligations. However, the initiative and goodwill of NGOs, ministries, and other institutions and agencies also play a significant role. This also depends on the length of time the NGO has been operating and its level of expertise in the topics discussed. Overall, their cooperation in Lithuania is improving. However, contrary to the views of representatives of institutions and the agency, employees of disability NGOs still do not feel like equal partners. It indicates that there are areas that require further improvement. It is hoped for that governmental and municipal institutions and agencies will become more active, show greater interest in the situation of persons with disabilities, respond more sensitively to problems, and generally be more willing to cooperate, while some processes will proceed more quickly. Meanwhile, organizations of persons with disabilities are recommended to focus on activeness, initiative, curiosity, and the improvement of qualification and competencies, to plan their activities and needs in advance, and to unite among themselves. |
