The search for inspiring people with disabilities who overcome their limitations, weaknesses and social stereotypes every day to succeed, fulfil their dreams and help others has begun for the 22nd time.
The Man Without Barriers competition has been organised by the Friends of Integration Association since 2003. In the 21 editions to date, nearly 120 people with various types of disability, representing different professions and backgrounds, have been awarded prizes.
Among the winners and awardees are outstanding athletes, renowned artists, scientists, social activists and activists, politicians and entrepreneurs. What they all have in common is their outstanding performance and ability to break down barriers and stereotypes surrounding disability. Through their activism, commitment to helping others and their success in life, they are role models and inspiration for others to overcome their own weaknesses.
The winner of the title 'Barrier-free man' in 2023 was Przemysław Wieczorek - several-time world and European vice-champion in para taekwondo, an educator at a socio-therapeutic day-care centre and a Christian rapper who, as a 20-year-old, lost both arms in a train accident. The title of 'Young person without barriers' was in turn awarded to Wanessa Bąkowska - a talented 14-year-old with Down's syndrome, who has over 220 paintings and more than 16 exhibitions to her credit.
This year the Jury will select from among the 20 semi-finalists "Barrier-free man 2024", "Barrier-free young man" and two equal Distinctions and, for the first time in the history of the competition, will award the title of "Seniors without barriers" for persons aged 65+. As every year, the readers of the magazine 'Integracja' and the portal Niepełnosprawni.pl will also award their prizes in online voting. "Internet Personality". and "Audience Award".
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony to be held at the Royal Castle in Warsaw on 3 December 2024 to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
How do I submit a candidate for the competition?
Anyone can nominate a candidate for the Barrier Free Man 2024 Competition by sending an electronic application by email to: czlowiekbb@integracja.org (putting in the subject line: 'Barrier Free Man 2024 Competition'); via the application form available at: https://cbb.integracja.org/zglos-kandydata or by post to the following address: Association of Friends of Integration, 13 Andersa St.; 00-159 Warsaw, with the annotation "Competition Man without Barriers 2024".
The closing date for applications is 20 September 2024.
All information about the Man Without Barriers Competition is available on the competition website: https://cbb.integracja.org/
If you have any further questions, please contact the organiser via the email address: czlowiekbb@integracja.org.
or by telephone:
Joanna Krok tel. 519 066 474
Katarzyna Figura tel. 505 602 711
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Integracja has been working for 30 years for the equalisation of social opportunities for people with disabilities, the creation of civic awareness and social integration. Since 1994, it has published the magazine "Integracja", and since 2003 it has run the portal Niepelnosprawni.pl and for seven years Sprawniwpracy.com. He is the organiser of many social campaigns, including 'I don't want to be a fireman', 'Shallow imagination is crippling', 'Would you really want to be in our shoes', 'Why do you treat us differently'. The founder and long-standing president of INTEGRACJA was Piotr Pawłowski (1966-2018).
Institutional Partner: State Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled
Partner: PKO BP Foundation, Polpharma, Coloplast, Orange Polska
Media patronage: Polish Radio PR1, Niepelnosprawni.pl portal