We are working in Zambia to ensure children and young people with disabilities have access to the education they need to succeed.
Angel is six years old and lives in Zambia with her mother. When Angel was born, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy which is a physical disability that can affect movement and posture. For several reasons, Angel was not getting what she needed to learn and develop.
Less than 25% of children with disabilities in Zambia access early education, and only 12% go on to complete secondary education. This is a significant barrier that prevents children from reaching their potential.
We are trying to change this.
We have enrolled 94 young children with disabilities into early childhood education.
We have registered 68 parents of children with disabilities into parent support groups.
We have set up 6 disability-inclusive child rights clubs to enable children to fight for their rights.
We are working with the Zambia Association of Parents for Children with Disabilities (ZAPCD) to tackle the stigma and misunderstanding that often surround children with disabilities. As part of a three-year Early Childhood Education programme, we have delivered multiple community events and media campaigns to spread awareness about the rights of children with disabilities, especially in their right to access Early Childhood Education.
One particular success was the delivery of training for media professionals in the country to identify different strategies for reporting on disability in an inclusive and empowering way. Over two days, the participants were invited to learn about different models of disability, as well as common myths and misconceptions about disability. At the end, participants organised a press conference where they discussed the rights of children with disabilities, which was broadcast across Zambia on television and radio.
Zambia Association of Parents for Children with Disabilities (ZAPCD) is a membership organisation made up of parents of children and young people with disabilities who advocate for change.
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