LEBANON - On Zero Discrimination Day, the world is reminded that everyone deserves equal rights and equal opportunities, regardless of gender, nationality, or ability.
In Lebanon, however, children with disabilities continue to face significant challenges in accessing inclusive and equitable education opportunities.
According to international and humanitarian reports, children with disabilities represent less than 0.5% of total student enrollment in Lebanon, despite estimates suggesting that around 10–15% of the population lives with some form of disability.
Government and donor-supported initiatives have expanded inclusive education to approximately 180 public schools, up from around 30 schools in earlier pilot phases, with several thousand students with disabilities benefiting from adapted programs.
However, studies indicate a significant gap between the estimated number of children who need support and those actually enrolled in accessible and inclusive educational settings.
Despite Lebanon’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, access to inclusive and quality education remains limited.
Public schools often lack basic infrastructure such as wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, resource rooms, and assistive learning technologies.
In an exclusive interview with Enmaeya, Mohammad Zein, Principal of Al Hanan School for Children with Special Needs, explained that structural barriers and challenges extend beyond infrastructure to include staff shortages.
"Having specialized teams that include psychological therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and an educational staff specialized in special education is critical, " Zein said. "This integrated support system adapts a natural and seamless process for students with special needs."
He emphasized that when schools are properly equipped, both physically and academically, inclusion becomes achievable.
“The adaptation process is excellent when the school is architecturally designed to meet students’ needs,” Zein added, noting that accessible facilities combined with trained specialists create an environment where children can integrate, learn, and develop with confidence.
Yet such models remain the exception rather than the norm across Lebanon. Many families struggle to find institutions capable of accommodating their children, often turning to private specialized schools that can be expensive.
Zein explains that true inclusion requires more than isolated initiatives. It calls for nationwide policies that prioritize accessibility standards, continuous teacher training in special education, and funding to ensure that children with disabilities are not left behind.
On Zero Discrimination Day, the conversation in Lebanon is not only about raising awareness, but about transforming commitments into practical steps, ensuring that equal opportunity in education becomes a lived reality for every child.
