Sociocultural Education of Disabled People in Utena District Community

After Lithuania has entered the world community not equal position of some social groups in society, especially disabled, came to light. Although disabled people are considered to be equal members of society, still there are no conditions equal to those of healthy people to educate themselves in sociocultural environment or integrate into labour market. The paper analyses the possibilities for socialization and reintegration of the disabled by executing sociocultural activity in community. The object of the research is the sociocultural education of the disabled people in Utena district community. The aim of the research is to analyse the sociocultural education of the disabled people in Utena district community. The objectives of the research are as follows: 1. Discuss the peculiarities of sociocultural education of the disabled people in community. 2. Discuss the activity of NGOs of the disabled in Utena, their functions and preconditions for sociocultural education. 3. Carry out the analysis of sociocultural activity of the disabled people NGOs in Utena district. The methods of the research: 1. The analysis of the scientific and methodological references. 2. Document analysis. 3. A questionnaire based inquiry. 4. Statistical data analysis of a questionnaire based inquiry. The theoretical part discusses the concept of disability, socialization and integration of the disabled in society and sociocultural education in community. It also discusses the activity of the disable people NGOs in Utena town. The practical part of the paper presents a research that aimed to reveal the peculiarities of sociocultural education of the disabled by NGOs in Utena town. The paper ends up with the conclusions: 1. The term of disability is used more often not only in social environment but also in societal life and this in a way softens the negative attitude and understanding of society that disability is limitation of usual activity or possibilities due to malfunctioning of some function. 2. Sociocultural education in community is a mean for a disabled person himself to have an objective insight, assess his problem and improve competencies according to certain personal possibilities and resources by realizing social, cultural and educational needs. 3. There are various NGOs of the disabled people in Utena town and the most numerous of them are The Association of the Disabled of Utena district, Association for Care of Mentally Disordered People “Utenos viltis”. The members of these associations not only defend their rights, provide suggestions for their associations, but also carry out sociocultural activity. 4. The disabled people in NGOs in Utena district equal to that of community, as they are united by common interests, needs and living area, and explain sociocultural education as the possible need to realize themselves in leisure activities, sports and cultural activityŠvietimo akademijaVytauto Didžiojo universiteta