Supporting Integration of Disabled People into Society

Integration of people with disabilities, mental or physical, is a challenge for most societies, including Kosovo. According to Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI), at least 50,000 people with mental disabilities are outside of institutions/community support systems, and are economically powerless and socially marginalized.

In addition, UNICEF reports that children with disabilities are often not mainstreamed into the educational system due to “attitude, not access.” They estimate that 80% of the children with disabilities are excluded by the school system. USAID is supporting two activities that address the issue.

Current Activities

1. Strengthening the Participation of People with Mental Disabilities in Kosovo Society Project
2. Inclusive Education through Active Learning Project


Strengthening the Participation of People with Mental Disabilities in Kosovo Society Project

With USAID support, Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) is supporting the participation of people with mental disabilities (PWMD) and their families in advocating for and gaining social inclusion in Kosovo.

PWMD peer-support groups are in place to affect change in communities where they live, and MDRI is helping strengthen PWMD’s capacity to advocate for inclusion. An “equal opportunities network” and a national council of disability have been formed to unite the groups in addressing inclusion.

The project is also increasing public awareness about the rights of PWMD, especially among Kosovo’s young population. This is being achieved through direct dialogue between PWMD and high school students. The project also works with two PWMD organizations on this effort in order to enhance their ability to conduct outreach efforts.

High school-level teaching materials on social integration and empowerment of PWMDs and their inclusion in communities are being prepared for use in future classes. The project will, in the final term of its activity, introduce PWMD to social and job opportunities in the community where they live to further their full integration into society.


Inclusive Education through Active Learning Project

This project, implemented by UNICEF with USAID support, is promoting greater inclusion of children with disabilities in pre-primary and primary school classrooms.

UNICEF and Tema, a local NGO are helping 90 pre-primary and primary school teachers in seven municipalities learn techniques for including disabled children in their classrooms. The project also helps these teachers develop individual lesson plans for disabled children.

At the community level, the project is working with parent-teacher organizations to raise awareness of parents, communities and stakeholders about the need for inclusive education for disabled children, and how it can be accomplished.