Antoine Verstraete, Project Manager for Disability at the French Red Cross, shares his experience and the challenges faced in managing 89 facilities dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. He discusses the strategies implemented to ensure the effectiveness of the actions and the impact of these programs on the lives of the beneficiaries.

Antoine, could you tell us more about your role as Project Manager for Disability and the day-to-day work of the Disability Division of the Red Cross?

The French Red Cross Disability Division operates 89 facilities and services that support people with disabilities at every stage of their lives. Each year, we support nearly 3,300 children, teenagers, and adults in these structures across various areas: educational, social support, healthcare, and employment access. Our main goal is to ensure that every person we support can build and achieve their own life project.

What are the main challenges you face in implementing the programs of the Disability Division, and how do you address them to ensure the effectiveness and impact of your actions?

Historically, support for people with disabilities has been approached by treating the person as the sole “object of care,” too often neglecting other essential aspects of each individual’s well-being: freedom of choice, autonomy, independence, and full inclusion in society.

Our responsibility is to reverse this trend by putting life project support at the heart of our actions and systematically involving individuals in every project.

By encouraging the participation of the people we support, we ensure the relevance of our work: We work with the people we support, not just for them.

What programs does the French Red Cross offer for the Olympic Games in terms of disability? How many people (volunteers or beneficiaries) are involved?

During the Paralympic Games, the Disability Division launched two distinct programs:

  • The “Volunteers & Disability” program, which allowed individuals we support to become volunteers for Paris 2024.
  • The popular ticketing initiative for the Games, offering those we support the chance to attend the events as spectators.

Here are some key figures:

  • “Volunteers & Disability” program: 60 volunteers from 10 facilities were mobilized as Paris 2024 volunteers, working across 5 sites (Lille, Lyon, Nice, Stade de France, Bercy).
  • Popular ticketing for the Paralympic Games: 621 tickets distributed to individuals supported by the Disability Division: 384 tickets for the Paralympic Games, 237 tickets for the Olympic Games.

Some highlights:

  • A trip organized by 4 IMEs (Medico-Educational Institutes) in the Division, bringing together 45 young people and 15 professionals, who stayed in Paris from July 25 to 30.
  • From August 27 to 30, 4 individuals supported by the EEAP Montaury (30) and their 4 caregivers stayed in Paris for the Paralympic Games. Upon their arrival, they visited the French Red Cross campus and met with the General Director before attending the Games’ opening ceremony.