On August 28, USAID's "Leading for Independent Living" project concluded its 12-week virtual training for 25 women and men with diverse disabilities in Armenia. Through the project, the local partner organization, Agate NGO, in collaboration with Mobility International USA, is working to foster equal rights of persons with disabilities to live independently, and will offer peer-led, rights-based services and resources to empower persons with disabilities to advocate for their rights and participate fully in their communities. The training covered topics including, the Independent Living (IL) philosophy, principles, practices and services, models of disability, discrimination, cross-disability and leadership, disability rights advocacy, employment of persons with disabilities, effective communication skills, peer support and mentorship, creativity and problem solving. The graduates will be eligible to apply for staff, volunteer and internship positions at the Independent Living Resource Centers being established in Shirak and Lori regions through the project, serve as peer mentoring leaders, or to conduct outreach and informational presentations to disabled persons organizations, civil society organizations, service providers, government offices and private sector stakeholders.
