Disability Education for Children

Project owner: Egyesület az Inklúzióért / Association for Inclusion

Responsible person: Flóra Török

2020

Nominated

HU

Civil Society / Social Economy

Challenge

In Hungary, most children with disabilities study in segregated classes. There are no opportunities for children with disabilities to get to know and connect with their non-disabled peers. Similarly, students without disabilities do not encounter children with disabilities at school.

Idea

Egyesület az Inklúzióért (“Association for Inclusion”) conducts hands-on classes in kindergartens and schools, where children without disabilities can experience – for a couple of minutes – what it is like living with physical limitations. We also organize inclusive playdates between abled and disabled children’s groups.

Actors

The majority of participants are children without disabilities aged 6 to 10-years-old. We work with the children in their schools and kindergartens. Their teachers and parents learn from the activities and children's narrations. Each year, we also organise and engage 3 to 4 groups of children with and without disabilities in the inclusive play program.

Impact

Egyesület az Inklúzióért breaks down barriers, anxieties, and taboos about disabilities for children and adults. The children are happy to talk about their experience and share their feelings. In the inclusive play programme, the children connect and notice their similarities, not only their differences.

Transfer

With additional support and a programme network, Egyesület az Inklúzióért has to the potential to assist parents organise the classes and play programmes in different regions. Inclusive play events could also turn into larger school projects with more collaboration for and between children of all abilities.