.

Ministry of Education Youth and Sport (MoEYS) officially adopted the Policy on Education for Children with Disabilities in February 2008. This follows the passing of the Education Law in December 2007 which contains two articles relating to education for children with disabilities. These Articles, 38 and 39, include the commitment that children with disabilities "should be able to attend school in their own communities".

The policy reiterates the right of children with disabilities to an inclusive education with their non-disabled peers. It then outlines activities and responsibilities in the following areas:

• Identification of children with disabilities
• Early intervention and inclusive schooling
• Accessibility
• Gender equity
• Community participation and disability awareness campaigns
• Teacher training

As part of the implementation of the policy DAC is currently working with MoEYS on the development of a Teacher Training Manual on Inclusive Education for children with disabilities, funded by UNICEF. In the near future it is expected that a prevalence study of children with disabilities will take place, funded by the Education For All Fast Track Initiative, to produce an accurate estimate of the numbers of children with disabilities in Cambodia.

Vision

To improve the quality of life and ensure the rights of all children with disabilities by participating in an advocacy and advisory role for all educational, health and rehabilitation services for children with disabilities.

Goals

To promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in all aspects of the community and society by:

• Increasing the opportunities for all children with disabilities to access education in a mainstream school alongside their peers
• Supporting the development of disability prevention and rehabilitation programs for children with disabilities;
• Increasing family and community awareness of the potential of children with disabilities
• Improving collaboration and communication between national and international organisations and the government on issues related to children with disabilities
• Supporting the development of referral systems with other stakeholders
• Advocating for increased physical accessibility to mainstream schools, health facilities and other public places for children with disabilities;

Activities and Achievements in 2007

• Active involvement in the process to include children with disabilities in the Student Enrolment Register and so to include it in the Education Management Information System (EMIS), for the first time. This process included participation in the Promoting Inclusion workshop at the Sunway Hotel, a workshop in Kampot on Including Children With Disabilities in EMIS, translation of terminology for UNICEF, meetings with the leadership of MoEYS (HE Nath Bunrouen) and the Primary Education Department, and a video conference with the World Bank in Washington
• Participation in MoEYS workshop in Kampot to finalize the contents of the draft Policy on Education for Children with Disabilities and advising MoEYS and the UNICEF consultant on development of the draft policy and implementation plan
• Trained DAC members in advocacy skills and strategy planning, in partnership with VSO. Participants included 20 people from member organizations including Cambodia Trust, World Vision, Parent's Association, Chrysalis, CDPO, DDP, DDSP, HI-F, CVCD, Krousar Thmey, DYCFE, ABC, AAC, and Rabbit School
• Active in leading the Cambodia Global Campaign for Education. Mobilizing students with and without disabilities, parents, teachers, educators, development partners and government officials (around 17,000 people) to join the Global Action Week in 9 provinces including the Big Hearing event in Phnom Penh calling for commitment to education as a fundamental human right
• Ensured the rights and needs of children with disabilities were represented at a series of other events throughout the year including International Children's Day, International Day of Deaf Persons and
• Joined CESSP/VSO on a study visit to Preah Vihear to look at school mapping and shared the information with Children with Disabilities Committee members
• Wrote revisions to the draft national Teacher Standards to take account of the needs of disabled children
• Participated in the advisory board of VSO's Mainstreaming Inclusive Education Project and in VSO's Education Programme Review to mainstream the needs of children with disabilities
• Committee members actively participated in the World Bank funded workshop on Promoting Inclusion through Innovative Media and Materials at the Cambodiana Hotel, which was facilitated by the DAC
• Provided reference information to stakeholders and visiting organizations such as IOM, World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, NEP , World Vision and various NGO members
• Participated in Rabbit School's Advisory Committee Meetings and advised on proposals for funding
• Participated in the National Dialogue on Scholarships in Sihanoukville to advocate for inclusion of disabled children as a target group in the proposed national scholarships scheme for primary schools
• Joined Komar Pikar Foundation on a study visit to Disability development Services in Pursat
• Delivered presentations on inclusive education at meetings held by Handicap International (France) and VSO and at DAC Information Days
• Provided support to the consultant developing the Education component of the National Landmine Victim Assistance National Plan of Action
• Observed delivery of Teaching Children with Special Needs training in Kampong Bay district, Kampot, giving feedback to the trainers
• Conducted a preliminary study and a workshop to update and upgrade the Teaching Children with Special Needs in the Classroom training with MoEYS Special Education Office, VSO and DAC members
• Participated in the annual Education Congress at the National Institute of Education to promote inclusion within the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) and Education Sector Support Program (ESSP)
• Represented the rights and needs of children with disabilities to ensure these are mainstreamed in programs and policies, through active participation in the Education Sector Working Group, Joint Technical Working Group - Education and the Child Friendly Schools Steering Committee
• Attended regular Educam meetings to obtain and share information on current and future activities in the education sector
• DAC Program Officer elected as Vice-chair of the NGO Education Partnership (NEP) to advise NEP and it 75 Education NGOs members on mainstreaming disability in their programs
• Monthly Children with Disabilities Committee meetings during 2007 included presentations on a variety of subjects by NGO members
• DAC and the Children with Disabilities Committee would like to thank Em Wanroth (New Humanity, previous chairperson) and Uk Pheakdey (ADD, present chairperson) for their support in serving as the chairperson for the committee meetings.

---