Ramp up for an Inclusive Life

REPORT

In the area of education attitudinal  and physical barriers within the schools are common.  Schools are not equipped for children with disabilities and their parents describe it as one of the main needs for their children to be enrolled into the mainstream schools.

Parents of children with disabilities often describe the need for their children to be prepared for school, but also to gain knowledge about the rights of accessing the correct assistive devices that would support children in schooling.

We received requests from parents and school authorities to help children with disabilities have access to schools by building wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets.

With the support of parents, donors in the country and through GlobalGiving platform,the organization built a wheelchair ramp and an accessible toilet in Chorsu village school, where 27 children with special needs are at school and home education. The children at home education come to join classes ones a week and participate at social events, where they interact with their peers and socialize with other school community.

Moreover, the previous ramp was not built according to the required standards. DRJ has constructed an eight meter ramp, which makes an access to the school for a child with disability much easier.

STORY

Ahmadjon is a boy with Polio enrolled into the CBR center in 2013. The boy was infected by Polio when he was two during the Polio outbreak in 2010. After running high temperature and seizure there were contracture on his right and left side which brought difficulties in walking.

Ahmadjon has improved his physical condition after visiting CBR center and started walking with crutches.

In 2016 he went to mainstream school, but the school was not accessible, which was challenging not only for Ahmadjon but other children with disabilities as well. Lack of accessibility creates difficulties for children with physical disabilities, which can affect the learning process. The school did not have ramp and had very steep steps at the entrance and there was no accessible toilet either.

Unfortunately, for family reasons Ahmadjon had to move to a different area where he went to a new his school at the end of his 3 grade. He experienced challenge not only with family break, but also changing his school and classmates. When he enrolled into a new school he faced with the previous problems as there was no accessibility.

However, knowing his challenge we did not leave him with his problems.

With all donors’ support we were able to build a ramp and an accessible toilet in Ahmadjon’s school. The day of taking photo there were tears in Ahmadjon and teachers’ eyes. It was essential for him to have access to school in order to participate fully in all activities and classes and interact with peers. The school management expressed their gratitude for providing accessibility for the students with physical disabilities at the school. It was a big change for the school as inclusion matters not only for children with disabilities, but all children can benefit out of it!

During last month the staff have completed several activities which will provide the accessibility at schools in Rudaki district and give right for CWDs to go into mainstream schools.

This will provide a great opportunity for children to study and interact with their peers.

We conducted assessment of schools where children with disability will go and the school environment is not accessibly friendly. We had meetings with school representatives and local authorities and received required permission to lead the work.

 Meanwhile, we have supported and conducted lessons for children with disabilities, who will start the school for the first time in September. Children with disabilities attend school preparedness group twice a week where they learn basic skills in reading, writing as well as improve their social interaction.

For the next period, we are planning to start the construction of school ramps and make the school building accessible for children with disabilities who use wheelchairs and crutches. And during next quarter we support you with more detail report on built ramps and accessibility that we provide.

By providing physical accessibility we advocate for inclusion and have children with disabilities to interact with their peers and use their full potential!

Thank you for your great input in changing the life of children with disabilities and their socialization in the local society.