I am Strong, Smart, and Safe…Despite my disability
People with disability are considered the largest minority in the world, and the most deprived. Children and teens with disabilities face different types of challenges and receive the least attention compared with the adults and their peers who have no disability. Statistics show that children with disability are five times more prone to abuse than their peers, and a large percentage has been subject to one type of sexual abuse or another, before reaching the age of 18 years old. Accordingly, Be-Free has launched a program "I am Strong, Smart, and Safe...Despite my Disability" under the patronage and the presence of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability.
Photo Gallery
Types of disability that the program covers:
The program works with children and teens with any type of disability, and is specialized in the following disabilities:
- Visual impairment
- Speech impairment
- Motor disability
- Mild mental disability
Goals:
- Empower children and teens who has a disability with essential protection skills, and basic life skills.
- Help children and teens in building their character, and a positive perception about themselves.
- Work in partnership with parents and support them in areas related to their children and their perception of people or children with disability.
- Create a culture of Human Inspiration through working with people with disability.
- Raise society awareness to concentrate more on the human aspect of people with disability rather than the disability itself.
Program Methods:
The program works with institutes and centers concerned about people with disability, and conducts different activities and events to achieve its goals. Some of the methods implemented are:
Interactive and fun workshops for children and teens with disability.Seminars and workshops for parents and caregivers.Exhibitions, seminars, and events for the different sectors of the society to encourage the optimum positive interaction with people with disability.Media channels, and the interactive means of the Internet.Regional and international conferences.
Specialized Training:
Be-Free has developed specialized training manuals, in both Arabic and English, for trainers, or individuals working with children with disability. The manuals cover the essential protection skills, and basic life skills, in a fun and interactive ways, concentrating on the strengths, abilities, and skills of the child and teen. A specialized training is available with the training manual.
