“Raising Voices for Inclusive Education” Campaign

The first phase of our advocacy campaign to include Egyptian children with disabilities in public primary school was a major success. At the last in a series of five media events organized by network member organizations in 4th quarter 2006, the lawyer for the Egyptian National Council of Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), Mr. Khalil Moustafa Khalil, accepted our recommendations for amendments to the disability-related articles of the Child Law of 1996. The changes make it clear that children with disabilities are to be mainstreamed in public school rather than sent to special classes or rehabilitation.

The series of media events were very successful in attracting the attention of the media. Articles appeared in two national newspapers. A series of 6 articles ran in a party newspaper. In addition articles appeared in several local papers.

Local TV in Beni Suef and Minia governorates aired 30 minute interviews with spokespersons from the events including Dr. Nabil Sisostres, TFD network coordinator.

Two national satellite channels aired talk shows comprised of discussion with Dr. Alaa Sebeh, network training consultant and disability expert and Mrs. Nada Thabet, TFD Board member and director of Village of Hope Vocational Training Center.

Our expectation is that NCCM will include our proposed amendments with their amendments to additional articles of the Child Law of 1996, and submit the package to the Egyptian People’s Assembly for approval before session ends in June 2007. Our challenge now is to keep pressure on NCCM and on the Education Committee of the People’s Assembly.

Through the advocacy campaign TFD Network member organizations have realized that collectively they can have a positive impact at the policy level. This is an extremely important lesson in a country where there is a restrictive environment for NGOs and where political apathy is widespread.

2007 Public Education Campaign targeted

TFD Network's 2007 work plan calls for developing a national public education campaign to address the rampant negative stereotypes of persons with disabilities. Work on the campaign will begin after TFD member organizations attend a workshop to learn about options available for public education in Egyptian national and satellite television. Activities of the campaign will include identifying the appropriate contact persons in national and local TV, identifying existing Arabic language public service announcements promoting the rights and abilities of persons with disability, identifying and recruiting well known Egyptians- actors, singers, public personalities- to use their influence to address negative stereotypes of persons with disabilities; and developing materials including videos, PowerPoint presentations, billboards, posters, pamphlets, songs, etc.

2008 Economic Intervention under consideration
During 2007, TFD Network will assess economic interventions to improve quality of life for persons with disability. Network members will identify the most viable option, research funding opportunities, and lay ground work for implementation in 2008. Examples are providing credit for SME, encouraging the private sector to hire persons with disabilities, advocating for enforcement of the Egyptian 5% public sector quota, and establishing model vocational training workshops.

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