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Organization	The Delia Foundation
Region	Romania
Website	Website
Facebook	Facebook
Twitter	@Twitter
ProjectLeader	Lauren Fishbach

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The Delia Foundation will provide education for autistic orphans/foster care children in Barlad, Romania, including specialized teacher training. A label of autism prevents a child from attending school. By providing teacher and community education, we can change the way these children are labeled and introduce them into the mainstream school system. Our goal is to give 60 children with skills needed to become productive adults, through our Delia's Learning Center which serves disabled children.

Challenge

In Romania, 85% of children registered with the government as autistic are not enrolled in school. In rural Barlad, Romania, the percentage is higher especially for children in the Child Protection System. Teachers being poorly prepared to work with autistic children in the typical school environment is a main cause of reduced enrollment. When children are denied an education and age out of child protection they will be moved to an adult institution or turned out to live on the streets.

Long-Term Impact

This project educates teachers and psychologists in a region with little support for those with autism. It offers opportunities enabling 200+ children to be integrated into mainstream schooling. By providing life skills and education, these children can become productive adults contributing to their community, find meaningful work, and no longer be at risk of institutionalization. Education inclusion will help erase the stigma, social labeling, and discrimination that currently exists.