Programme
Educational, social and cultural inclusion of deafblind persons and with multiple challenges associated with sensory disabilities
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© CBM / Grossmann
Mrs. Helen de Bonilla communicates through tactile sensory sign language with her adoptive son Alex, who motivated her to establish FUNDAL in view of addressing specific needs for the deafblind and offer hope to more families facing this kind of situation
FUNDAL (Guatemalan Foundation for Deafblind Children, Alex) was born as an inspiration through Alex, a small deafblind boy who conquered the hearts of the Bonilla Sinibaldi family and motivated them to establish the first organization of its nature in Guatemala. FUNDAL is a private, non-lucrative institution since 1998. In these 15 years of work it has become an organization with national and international recognition in matters pertaining Sensory Disabilities. It places great value on family participation and inclusive activities. The foundation also has activities of political incidence to achieve legal acknowledgement of Deafblindness as a specific disability, and thus continues to safeguard the observance of these rights.
FUNDAL has dedicated its work to the educational, social and cultural inclusion of persons who are deafblind and have multiple disability, through its three educational centers located in Guatemala, Huehuetenando and Quetzaltenango. Currently it benefits 200 direct users and more than 2,000 persons trained through the “Programa Semilla” (Seed Program).
FUNDAL also coordinates public awareness campaigns, information and training activities in order to transfer knowledge and achieve the acceptance of deafblindness. It is oriented towards the detection, rehabilitation and social integration of persons who are deafblind and have multiple disability.
This year FUNDAL will open up its new building in Guatemala City, thanks to the support of the European Union Commission and CBM. This centre has a better location and accessibility and it will be FUNDAL headquarters and the main resource centre for educational reinforcement, as well as professional training in the field of deafblindness.
By the end of 2012, FUNDAL expects to reach 300 children and adolescents who will be benefited directly, as well as 1200 family members, 5000 community leaders (health and education) and 7400 people sensitized and trained on dealing with deafblindness and multiple disabilities.
FUNDAL also coordinates public awareness campaigns, information and training activities in order to transfer knowledge and achieve the acceptance of deafblindness. It is oriented towards the detection, rehabilitation and social integration of persons who are deafblind and have multiple disability.
This year FUNDAL will open up its new building in Guatemala City, thanks to the support of the European Union Commission and CBM. This centre has a better location and accessibility and it will be FUNDAL headquarters and the main resource centre for educational reinforcement, as well as professional training in the field of deafblindness.
By the end of 2012, FUNDAL expects to reach 300 children and adolescents who will be benefited directly, as well as 1200 family members, 5000 community leaders (health and education) and 7400 people sensitized and trained on dealing with deafblindness and multiple disabilities.
