Crisis-resilient education for children with disabilities in Palestine

Solution: Developing an inclusive education environment for children with and without disabilities in the Gaza Strip
Organization: Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children
Country of Implementation: Palestine
Region: Asia & Pacific
Subregion: MENA
In cooperation with: CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission
Start Year: 2018
First published: 03.12.2023

Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children (ASDC), Palestine: Implements an EU-funded project for education during crises. From 2018 to 2023, supported over 800 children with disabilities in schools and trained 400 teachers and officials.

In the image, two women are seated at a table with a floral tablecloth, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative activity. Both women are wearing hijabs, suggesting they may be of a culture where this is a common practice, possibly indicating Middle Eastern or Islamic heritage. The woman on the left is standing and leaning towards the laptop screen, gesturing as if explaining or discussing something with her seated companion. The other woman, seated in front of the laptop, is looking at the screen, with her hands in a position that suggests she may be using sign language, potentially indicating that she is communicating in a way that accommodates a hearing impairment. The setting is a simple room with a window, a pink curtain, and a wall emblem that suggests the environment is dedicated to support or education, possibly a resource center for individuals with hearing disabilities. The atmosphere is one of focus, learning, and mutual assistance. — ASDC ensures access to education for children with disabilities and their parents in Palestine.

Solution details

People

Sian Tesni

“ASDC produces video lectures and online courses equipped with sign language and easy language.”

Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children (ASDC), a Palestine-based NGO, has implemented an EU-funded project that focuses on the provision of education in times of crisis and emergencies. Partnering with CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission, an international development agency headquartered in Germany, ASDC has produced video lectures and online classes equipped with sign language and easy language, delivered through hybrid and blended e-learning methodologies. Between 2018 and 2023, ASDC supported more than 800 children with disabilities in mainstream schools and trained 400 teachers, other DPOs, and members of the Ministry of Education.

Problems Targeted

Children with disabilities and their parents in Palestine know too little about their rights and still face discrimination when it comes to accessing education and health care.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Since 1992 the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) has been supporting people with hearing disabilities through education, rehabilitation, training, and livelihood opportunities. The organization supports more than 40,000 people every year with a variety of rights-based and inclusive approaches. In 2018, in collaboration with CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission, an international development agency headquartered in Germany, ASDC implemented the project ‘Developing an inclusive educational environment for children with and without disabilities in the Gaza Strip’. The project primarily aims to ensure continuous education for young people with disabilities in the region, even in times of conflict. To this end, ASDC produces video lectures and online courses equipped with sign language and easy language, delivered through hybrid and blended e-learning methods. In addition, teachers are trained to create materials themselves and to deliver online lessons/virtual interventions. Furthermore, mainstream and specialist teachers, therapists, and parents are supported to improve their skills in assisting the pupils. The project is also about education services provided by other DPOs and NGOs in Palestine, and strengthening their capacities and role in society.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Initial funding from CBM was used to develop inclusive education models in Atfaluna School and public schools in Gaza. With more funding from the World Bank the model was expanded, and later ASDC also started developing e-learning programmes with EU funding. ASDC has already been replicated by other organizations within Gaza, and it plans to expand its digital library and collaboration with the Ministry of Education on a government framework for inclusive education in the coming years. (Awardee 2024) *Please note: Research and writing were completed before Oct. 7, 2023.