Disability Rights Palestine Project #49999

Improving the lives of children with special needs

by Nour Charitable Society

Improving the lives of children with special needs

Project Report | Apr 12, 2026
From Barriers to Safety: Home Adaptations

By Ruaa Abu Odeh | Project leader

During the last three months, the project “Improving the lives of children with special needs” (#49999) has expanded its focus to include young adults aged 18–25 years with severe disabilities, particularly cases of cerebral palsy, in Aida and Al-Azza refugee camps.

This shift came in response to a critical gap in services, as very few organizations provide care for this age group, leaving families to carry the full responsibility of intensive daily care.

Most beneficiaries are fully dependent on their families for feeding, hygiene, mobility, and daily living activities. This places an extremely heavy physical, emotional, and financial burden on caregivers.

In response, the project has begun implementing home-based emergency interventions and environmental modifications to reduce this burden and improve safety and dignity at home.

Geographic Focus

Aida Refugee Camp
Al-Azza Refugee Camp (Beit Jibrin area)

Target Group

Young adults aged 18–25 years
Severe cerebral palsy cases
Fully dependent individuals requiring full-time care

Key Activities Implemented

During this period, the project focused on emergency home adaptation and rehabilitation support, including:

Home visits for assessment of living conditions
Installation of basic assistive modifications inside homes
Bathroom adjustments to improve safety and hygiene support
Stair and access modifications to reduce caregiver physical burden
Provision and use of basic rehabilitation and assistive therapy tools
Training and guidance for caregivers on safe lifting, feeding, and daily care techniques
Follow-up visits for ongoing monitoring of cases

Assistive Tools Used in Therapy and Care

The rehabilitation process included the use of essential supportive tools such as:

Positioning aids for safe sitting and lying
Basic mobility support equipment
Feeding support tools for caregivers
Soft support cushions and stabilization materials
Therapeutic exercise materials for joint movement and muscle maintenance

These tools were essential in improving comfort, reducing complications, and supporting caregivers in daily tasks.

Achievements During This Period

7 cases have received full or partial home modifications and support services
Families reported reduced physical strain in daily caregiving tasks
Improved safety inside homes, especially in bathing and movement areas
Increased awareness among caregivers about safe handling and positioning techniques

Challenges

Extremely high demand with 32 identified cases currently in need
Limited funding restricting the number of homes that can be reached
Severe physical burden on caregivers, especially mothers and elderly parents
Lack of specialized services for adults with severe disabilities in the area
Ongoing economic crisis increasing transportation and living difficulties

Current Situation

Due to the lack of specialized institutions for adults with severe disabilities, families remain the only caregivers for their children even after they reach adulthood.

This situation creates long-term physical exhaustion, emotional stress, and financial hardship. Many families are unable to carry or transport their children safely, making home modifications not just supportive—but essential for survival and dignity.

Emergency Home Adaptation Program

The project is currently expanding its Home Modification and Emergency Support Program, which aims to:

Improve accessibility inside homes
Reduce caregiver physical burden
Prevent injuries for both caregivers and beneficiaries
Provide safe living environments for individuals with severe disabilities
Expand services to all 32 identified cases

This program is considered urgent due to the growing needs and lack of alternative services.

Financial Situation & Urgent Need

The project is operating under severe financial constraints. While we have successfully supported 7 cases, there are still 25 additional urgent cases awaiting intervention.

Without immediate funding, the project will not be able to continue home modifications or expand services to the remaining families in need.

Call for Support

We urgently call on our partners and donors to continue supporting this initiative.

Your support helps us:

Reduce the physical burden on exhausted caregivers
Improve safety and dignity at home
Reach more families in urgent need
Provide life-changing home adaptations for severely disabled young adults

Every contribution makes a direct difference in the daily lives of families who carry an overwhelming responsibility alone.

Closing Message

Despite limited resources, we remain committed to supporting families caring for young adults with severe disabilities in Aida and Al-Azza camps. Through home-based interventions, we aim to ensure dignity, safety, and relief for both beneficiaries and caregivers.

With your support, we can expand from 7 supported cases to all 32 identified families in urgent need.

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Dec 15, 2025
A Year of Impact, Inclusion, and Hope

By Rua Ahmad | Noor Rehabilitation center

Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Noor Society

As the year comes to a close, Noor Society for People with Disabilities reflects on a year marked by impact, resilience, and meaningful change. This year concluded with a special celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, held at Noor Society with the participation of children and mothers who benefit from our programs. The event was joyful and enriching, creating a space for interaction, expression, and shared hope.

Children took part in recreational and interactive activities, while mothers joined psychosocial support sessions designed to relieve stress and strengthen emotional well-being. The day reflected the positive outcomes achieved throughout the year and reaffirmed the importance of community-based support for children with disabilities and their families.

Throughout this year, Noor Society provided rehabilitation and psychosocial services to approximately ( 50–60 children) with disabilities. Among them, ( 28 boys) and ( 22 girls) benefited from our programs. The children served ranged in age from 3 to 14 years and primarily came from Aida Refugee Camp and surrounding areas in Bethlehem, representing families facing significant economic and social challenges.

The services delivered included physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special education sessions, and psychosocial support activities. Each child received individualized services based on professional assessments, aiming to improve physical abilities, communication skills, independence, and overall quality of life.

This year also marked a notable development in our psychosocial and support services for women, particularly mothers of children with disabilities. Through counseling sessions, group support meetings, and awareness activities, women were empowered to cope with psychological stress, strengthen their caregiving skills, and build supportive networks with other mothers. These services have proven essential in enhancing family resilience and promoting emotional stability within households.

None of these achievements would have been possible without your generous support. Your contributions have enabled Noor Society to continue delivering essential rehabilitation services, provide safe spaces for psychosocial support, and reach families who otherwise would have limited access to such care.

As we approach the end of the year, we kindly invite you to extend your support once more. A year-end donation can help provide therapy sessions for children, psychosocial support for mothers, and continued hope for families living with disability. Your support today allows us to begin the new year with stronger programs and a deeper impact.

Together, we can close this year with compassion and begin the next with renewed hope for children with

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Aug 25, 2025
Improving the Lives of Children with Special Needs

By Rua Ahmad | Noor Rehabilitation center

1. Project Overview

The Improving the Lives of Children with Special Needs project is dedicated to providing rehabilitation, educational, and social inclusion services for children with disabilities in Bethlehem. Our goal is to help these children build confidence, improve their skills, and lead fuller, more independent lives.

However, the growing demand for services, especially in the aftermath of the ongoing crisis, has placed significant pressure on our limited resources.

2. Progress in the Last 3 Months

Despite financial and staffing limitations, the project achieved the following during this quarter:

Rehabilitation sessions: Delivered approximately 120 physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions for 25 children with moderate to severe disabilities.
Educational support: Provided after-school tutoring and learning support for 15 children to improve academic and cognitive skills.
Family counseling: Organized 4 small-group sessions with parents to provide guidance on home care and emotional support strategies.
Community inclusion activities: Hosted 2 recreational activities in safe spaces, reaching 30 children for social and emotional engagement.

3. Beneficiary Numbers

Due to reduced capacity, we were able to support fewer children this quarter:

CategoryDirect BeneficiariesIndirect BeneficiariesRehabilitation sessions~25 children~75 family membersEducational support~15 children~45 family membersCounseling and family support~20 parents/caregivers~60 family members indirectly benefitedCommunity inclusion activities~30 children~100 family members indirectly benefited

Total direct beneficiaries: ~40 children and 20 parents
Total indirect beneficiaries: ~250 individuals

4. Current Challenges

High demand, low capacity: The number of children requiring support continues to rise, but our ability to accommodate them remains limited.
Financial constraints: Reduced funding has limited therapy hours, educational programs, and staff capacity.
Emotional burden on families: Many caregivers are overwhelmed and in need of more consistent psychosocial support.

5. Plans for the Next Quarter

Expand therapy hours if additional funding becomes available to reach at least 35 children.
Launch a volunteer program to support recreational and educational activities.
Seek partnerships with local organizations to share costs and expand reach.

6. Call for Support

With your support, we can increase the number of children receiving therapy, educational support, and inclusion activities. Every donation helps us provide life-changing services to children who deserve a chance to thrive despite their challenges.

7. Gratitude

We extend our deepest thanks to our donors and supporters. Your contributions, even in these challenging times, are helping children with disabilities in Bethlehem take steps toward independence and inclusion.

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