Haiti - Education : Campaign for the integration of disabled children in schools
The inclusion at the level of national life also involves the integration of students with disabilities in regular schools. The awareness campaign, with a duration of 10 months (October 2014-July 2015), launched in October by the Organization of Disabled in Action for Progress (OAHP) aims to bring the actors and institutions involved in education to promote inclusive education. 30 schools in the commune of Carrefour and 20 of the town of Léogâne are concerned by this campaign "Many children with disabilities do not attend school as required by Haitian law because principals do not allow them to integrate their schools. In addition, parents are worried that their children are taunted by others students, so they keep them at home without worrying about their education," lamented Carole Célestin, President of OHAP, adding that "This situation that lasted far too long is not at its end despite the efforts of stakeholders. The work must continue to convince those who are not yet."
This awareness project, which received financial support from the international organization "Disability Rights Fund," is done in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (BSEIPH) and the Commission for School Adaptation and Social Support, an entity of the Ministry of Education responsible for supporting children with disabilities for their integration into the school environment.
Working in the area for four years, the OHAP has already completed campaigns in the communes of Delmas and Cité Soleil. Although much remains to be done, Brunel Saul, the Coordinator of OAHP, says to see positive results "New students with disabilities now have access to education in ordinary schools in the communes that where we made aware," while welcoming the heads of various high schools and private schools hosting more and more children in their schools, it encourages other schools to follow the lead in order to allow more students with special needs have access to education.
