International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021: Awareness in schools

The theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021 was ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’. Natanim Consultancy and Training Plc, celebrated the day with three of our target schools in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. Abunebasliyos, Abyotkirse and Lafto primary school, where more than 9,500 students and staff members were addressed in an awareness campaign on the issues of disability, its causes and the role of the school communities and the students in improving outcomes for all.  

Natanim highlighted the meaning of disability (disability means differently able), disability could happen at any time, we all are exposed and cannot be 100% sure that disability cannot happen to us.  And that is why it is the responsibility of all to make the school and work environment comfortable for people and children with disabilities. 

The awareness raising campaign closed after asking the students to ask themselves “how would I like to be treated if I was a child with a disability who was learning in the same class or environment I am now?”.  Natanim believes that if the school communities and the students have a good understanding about disability and their role in reducing the major obstacles children with disabilities face every day then we can move one step closer in creating more inclusive, less challenging school environments for children with disabilities.