Prize Winner 2009

Over twenty-two years ago Ms. Tiborné Szekeres began building the foundation “For Equal Opportunity!”  She has a severely disabled son and originally wanted to use her initiative to provide him with better living conditions.  Since then, the foundation has created numerous residential and employment locations for the disabled in which they can be supported in a variety of ways.  Based on the principle of integration, individually tailored care and support services are offered to those with severe and multiple disabilities.

Ms. Szekeres’ organization has distinguished itself by trying out new concepts and approaches in caregiving and subsequently implementing them on a professional basis. 

“Tibor haza” was built with the prize money from the 2009 Essl Social Prize.  It is a four-story home, where all the special needs of its residents can be catered for. In particular, these are teenagers, families and older people with disabilities.  Up to 30 residents and their caregivers can live here.  A home has been created in which they can receive the life-long care they deserve. The house was built near existing facilities in Csömör/Budapest and was opened in spring 2010.

The EU has chosen “Tibor háza” as an international training school for social workers. Martin and Gerda Essl support the Graz Declaration on Disability and Ageing.