A new lease on life
In different places around Nepal, barriers preventing the social inclusion of children with disabilities are being broken down through early identification and intervention efforts
Across Nepal, stigma, lack of awareness and poverty often leave young children with disabilities marginalized. UNICEF, alongside Handicap International, and Setogurans National Child Development Services – as part of a partnership with the Government of Finland – is actively working to identify and support these children as early as possible.
Samir's story exemplifies the impact of these efforts.
Despite attending a primary school in Kirtipur Municipality in Kathmandu District in central Nepal, Samir, 8, struggled to participate fully in classroom activities and was falling behind in his learning. Through the programme, Samir was identified with intellectual disabilities that affected both his interactions with others and his ability to learn. Previously unaware of his condition, Samir's family now understands better how to support his holistic development. They have initiated the process of obtaining a disability ID card for him, facilitated by programme staff.
In a similar case, 7-year-old Shirish living in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, who has intellectual and physical disabilities, faced rejection when attempting to enroll in school until programme staff intervened.
It was thanks to this that Shirish's dream of attending school became a reality.
An itinerant teacher also played a crucial role in facilitating Shirish's enrollment, capacitating the school and equipping the classroom to accommodate his needs.
Through specialized training provided as part of the programme, the teacher learned practical strategies and tools for inclusive education, deepening her understanding of universal design for learning and preparing teaching materials that benefit all students, including those with special needs like Shirish.
Dilip's journey illustrates another aspect of the programme's impact.
Initially without formal identification of disability, five-year-old Dilip who lives in Chandrapur, struggled with mobility issues in his left leg, hindering his ability to attend school regularly and participate in activities.
Through the programme, Dilip received a specially designed shoe that improved his mobility and alleviated his pain, enabling him to attend school regularly and fully engage in activities.
Meanwhile seven-year-old Lalita from Chandrapur, had suffered from recurrent eye infections from a young age, exacerbated by lack of access to medical services.
Despite complaints of pain, her condition went untreated until a teacher, trained through the programme in early screening for disabilities, noticed her struggles with learning and suspected vision issues. Following identification, Lalita received appropriate treatment that restored her vision.
Now, with improved eyesight, Lalita is an active classroom participant, additionally benefiting from the inclusive practices introduced through the programme
The stories of these incredible, resilient children are evidence of what early identification and intervention can mean for children with disabilities. It shows that through dedicated efforts and partnerships, children like Samir, Shirish, Dilip and Lalita can be empowered to access education and thrive, breaking barriers that once confined them to the margins of society.
