GRIP presents itself

What is GRIP vzw?

GRIP vzw, which in English stands for Equal Rights for Each Person with a handicap, has existed since 2000 and is based in the Flemish Community's Equal Opportunities house in Koningsstraat, Brussels. The organisation is subsidised by the Equal Opportunities in Flanders unit.

What does GRIP vzw do?

GRIP vzw is part of a global civil rights movement. Its task is to achieve equal rights and opportunities for everyone, but primarily for one disadvantaged group - people with a handicap. The small 'h' in its name indicates this.

Rights (human rights) are fundamental for democracy, establish the basis for society and must be demandable. To achieve this GRIP vzw believes that an anti-discrimination movement is very important because this guarantees the enjoyment of fundamental human rights, with the proviso that these are actually implemented rather than just paid lip service.

Equal opportunities are real possibilities in day-to-day life. This means having the possibility of making choices from among a number of equivalent alternatives and of belonging to a society, just like everyone.

What does GRIP vzw want?

The abbreviation 'GRIP' is English and refers to having a grip on your own life and being able to develop it. After all, GRIP's goals are to achieve:

• self-determination. 'Self determination' means that people with a handicap can themselves determine who they are and what they wish to do with their lives.
• independence. 'Independence' means that a person with a handicap, just like any other citizen, can control the means needed to give shape to her/his life and to achieve self-determination. The causes of social exclusion and dependency must be eliminated by the government and an inclusive society developed.
• equivalent and commensurate participation in society. This means that people with a handicap, who make up 10 % of the population, can participate equally and are represented to the same degree in all social fields.

Women, foreigners, gays and bisexuals, etc. are other social groups that are discriminated against. Many people naturally belong to several groups simultaneously, which sometimes leads to multiple discrimination. GRIP vzw wishes to co-operate and combine its forces as much as possible with other organisations and authorities who promote equal rights.

How does GRIP vzw operate?

GRIP vzw wishes to influence and stimulate policy and to inform broader society correctly.

At policy level several topic-based working groups work around the standing Policy steering group. Their work is determined by current affairs and the developments in Equal Opportunities and disability policy. GRIP vzw primarily orients itself to the Flemish and federal policy level. This is done by promoting interests and political action on the one hand and by representation and submitting policy alternatives on the other.

Awareness creation is a second major pillar for GRIP. The Awareness Creation steering group is able to work with the help of media campaigns, readings and presentations, report and publication compilation but also action and demonstration.

GRIP wants to point out to the handicapped and their environment, policymakers and society that 10 % of the population has a handicap and consequently is socially disadvantaged and that a large number of factors in society create discrimination directly or indirectly. GRIP attaches a great deal of importance to creating a positive image instead of emphasising the frequently one-sided angle of approach of care and dependency. For example, in an accessible society aids, applications and assistance can compensate for a possible limitation and contribute to developing the highest possible quality of life, company employment, studies in 'ordinary' schools, etc.

GRIP vzw has also initiated the development of a website which will be active from March 2003 and which over time should grow into a reference point in the area of Equal Opportunities. It will offer background information and viewpoints, useful links and an extensive helpful list of concepts and terms such as inclusion, integration, positive action, (anti-)discrimination, person-related financing, etc.

GRIP vzw will also support people with a handicap and their environment legally in the future and thus combat discrimination. If necessary, and when this can be used as an effective tool for changing policy, it will take on the role of civil party in legal proceedings.

Who does GRIP vzw bring together?

People with a handicap have a tiny presence in politics as well as in advisory and management bodies in Flanders and Belgium today and yet nonetheless have the greatest know-how about life with a handicap and how this can form the source of discrimination. GRIP vzw draws successfully on this rich experience-based expertise and so forms a user platform: the organisation's Management Committee is made up of people with a handicap and legal representatives and its steering and working groups bring together handicapped people, experts and organisations.