Ability Day Vidin

In the period 18-20 May 2018 in more than 10 cities in the country took place the so-called Ability Days within the National Citizens’ Initiative “7000”, whose goal was to gather support for the abolition of guardianship and the introduction of the alternative to everyone’s dignified life in Bulgaria – the supported decision-making.

The cities that participated were: Sofia, Plovdiv, Vidin, Lovech, Kyustendil, Ruse, Varna, Dobrich and Targovishte. The initiatives were designed to demonstrate the skills of people with disabilities, with every visitor having the opportunity to engage in interesting activities, challenges and workshops.

Why Ability Days? – Because we believe it is important to celebrate our skills and abilities – to learn from each other, to create together, to dream and appreciate all that life has given us. At least 7000 are the people in our country who are under guardianship because they have some intellectual or mental health disability. People under guardianship can not make any decisions for themselves. All their will and legal capacity  is replaced, and the power of their lives is placed in the hands of someone else. The National Citizens’ Initiative “7000” aims for our country to adopt a law that will make these people the main characters in their lives.

In the town of Vidin the event was held on May 19 in the City Park, in front of the Nikola Petrov Art Gallery. Various workshops were organized within the National Citizens’ Initiative “7000”. Citizens had the opportunity to post messages (in balloons or in a bottle) or to participate in the elaboration of cards together with the people with intellectual disabilities, client of the social services, provided by RSSPID – Vidin.