Inclusive living

Blindspot implements another article according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. With our inclusive housing project, young people with and without disabilities live together on equal footing in an urban space. Participation and self-determination are at the centre of this - co-creation, co-decision making and co-responsibility - so that inclusion is lived as a matter of fact in all structures of society.

Young people with and without disabilities can live together in the urban space as equals. The project enables young people with disabilities to live inclusively and to participate in a social life. By living together, the self-determination of people with disabilities is promoted, based on the principle of normalisation.

The tenants have access to a 4-room flats in Bern's Lorraine and 5.5-room flat in the Ostring district. The flats have good connections to public transport as well as numerous opportunities for participation in social activities.

Details about our project

Target groups and goals

The living style is aimed at young adults with and without disabilities between the ages of 18 - 30. The project is suited for young people with disabilities who can or want to learn how to live independently with support. The goal is to enable the participants to live independently as well as to participate in social life.

Requirements

Do you want to become part of this inclusive flat share? Then please note the following requirements:

 

  • As the flat at Centralweg 15 is not barrier-free, the housing project there is aimed at people who are physically able to climb stairs. However, the flat at Thunstrasse 102 has a lift.

  • The living community should be in the interest of the community; the willingness to participate in social life is a prerequisite.

  • The project participants can communicate verbally.

  • The project is not suitable for people with severe mental disabilities or acute care needs.

  • Parents and caregivers of residents with disabilities adopt a supportive inclusive attitude and hand over responsibility.

Support

Residential support is provided by our socio-educational staff. The duration of accompaniment and presence is calculated individually. In principle, closer accompaniment is recommended at the beginning, with the aim that the project participants continuously become more autonomous so that the accompaniment can be reduced. In all areas mentioned below, goals are set for the residential training, which are jointly evaluated and redefined at the end of the semester.

The support is divided into two areas; residential training/coaching and inclusive social training.

 

Residential training/coaching

  • Cooking and nutrition

  • Cleaning and tidying up

  • Dispensing medication

  • Support with administrative tasks

  • Pocket money management

Inclusive social training

  • Leisure activities

  • Social space orientation (commuting, shopping, neighbourhood, etc.)

  • Improving social skills (conflicts, building relationships, etc.)

  • Dealing with everyday stress

 

The trainings/coachings include, among others, the above mentioned thematic sessions. They are individually designed and oriented towards the needs and goals of the person being accompanied. Crisis intervention is coordinated according to the situation and is derived from the crisis management concept, e.g., our socio-educational staff is available 24/7 on an emergency mobile phone.

Approaches

Blindspot works in a participatory and holistic way, sensitises people with and without disabilities, promoting self-determination and empowerment.

 

One of the central aspects of the project is that the tenants themselves decide with whom they would like to live and how they organise their own daily routines like with a daily schedule.

Costs

Blindspot clarifies with the respective tenants individually how the costs incurred can be covered.

 

There is a fair rental price scheme according to each room size. This cost sharing makes participation in the project more attractive for young people without disabilities. Tenants without disabilities show a willingness to participate in social elements such as a community dinner and regularly attend quarterly meetings of Blindspot. This time commitment is compensated by an attractive rent.

Project promoter and initiatior

Blindspot is convinced of the added value of a diverse society. In order to make this added value tangible, Blindspot creates platforms for encounters and personal development. Blindspot raises awareness among professionals from the disability and non-disability sectors, including through partnerships, networking projects, exchange of experiences and lectures at home and abroad. Blindspot also carries out basic research. The aim is to exchange best practice examples and find new partnerships to jointly achieve an open society for all. Blindspot's inclusion projects and approach to work are based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

 

Sponsors & Partners

We would like to thank our sponsors and partners for their support of the Inclusive living project:

Your contact person

Do you have any questions or are you interested? Then get in touch with Fabienne Marques by e-mail or telephone.