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Support for parents of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

The following services have been set up to help parents of children with disabilities and children themselves

An illustration showing 4 different segments of the services we talk about in the text. A Phone, a girl in a wheelchair, a boy working on a computer and a phone screen with a women talking
UNICEFMK

With the pandemic and closure of schools, kindergartens and day care centers, many parents of children with disabilities have lost their daily support. This undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on all parents as they have needed to take on the full-time roles of teachers and caregivers, coaches and therapists.

The following services have been set up to help parents of children with disabilities and children themselves:

 

1. Support for learning of children with disabilities through individualized online lesson plans - Assistive Technology Association “Open the Windows” 

Through this service, special educators and speech therapists design individualized plans for online classes, use of computers and the Internet, early development stimulation, speech therapy services, and counseling for you and others in the home.

This online service is designed for all children with disabilities.

Please call the following numbers every working day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to apply for registration of your child for support:

072275211 – Macedonian

078282662 – Macedonian

071989822 – Albanian

 

2. Psychosocial support - Union of Special Educators and Rehabilitators

This service is intended for parents of children with some developmental delays, as well as parents of children with disabilities who are up to 6 years old.

All interested parents can call the phone number 074/222148 and make an appointment.

 

3. Free legal aid - Helsinki Committee for Human Rights

This service is designed for all children with disabilities and their families who feel they have experienced discrimination.
The Committee provides free legal aid by telephone every working day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following telephone numbers:

+389 (0) 2 3119 073

+389 (0) 72 278 436 and via e-mail (helkom@mhc.org.mk)

 

4. Questions, tips and answers for parents of children with disabilities

The University Psychiatric Clinic offers mental health support and psychosocial support to parents of children with disabilities affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

All parents of children with disabilities can call every working day at 072 912 676 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to talk to one of the special educators.