The the Friends of Integration Association was established in 1995 by Piotr Pawłowski, the author of the Integracja magazine.
It is our mission to promote social integration of disabled people based on coexistence, cooperation and partnership in all areas of social life.
The Integration is a member of the Consultation Board at the Government Representative for the Disabled, the Disability Team in the Ombudsman’s Offce, Municipal and Provincial Social consultation Boards and the biggest international organisation promoting disabled citizen employment – Workability International.
The Foundation Integracja has been established to support the dynamic activity of the Friends of Integration Association. As a result of the co-operation between both the organisations, which have similar goals and address the same social group, their initiatives may be consistent and more effective in changing the public attitude. Although the Foundation supports mainly the initiatives of the Association, it also provides material support to some individuals.
The statutory activities of the Foundation are non-profit and the Foundation’s mission is building Barrier-Free Poland, that is social integration of people with disabilities, as an indicator of social normality, based on coexistence, co-operation and partnership in all forms of civic life.
At the end of 2006, the name of the organisation was changed from the ''Barrier-Free Poland'' Foundation to the ''Integration'' Foundation. As a result, it is no longer mistaken for another foundation of a similar name and is clearly associated with the mission of the Friends of Integration Association.
Major statutory activities of the Foundation as a public benefit organisation include:
• promotion of social and professional integration of the disabled in the society;
• support for the disabled;
• social education based on integration rules.
STRATEGY
The Integration is a national, professional non-governmental organisation supporting the disabled, their families and caretakers, focused on information provision, professional activation and education. The Integration shapes public opinion, initiates legislative changes and condemns law violations.
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I decided to establish the Friends of Integration Association - known today as the Integration - when I saw how many people couldn’t manage their disability and couldn’t find a place for themselves in life. The same happened to me when I learned that I would spend the rest on my life in a wheelchair.
It is my objective to facilitate disabled people’s participation in social life to the greatest extent possible - in education, labour, creative work, sports, etc. It is my dream to make Poland free of barriers, threats and negative stereotypes concerning people with disabilities.
Thank you for your sensitivity, help and cooperation.
Piotr Pawłowski
President of the Friends of Integration Association
