Disability

E.M.A.D. - Enabling and Mobilsing Afghan Disabled

S.H.I.P. - SERVE's Hearing Impaired Programme

E.M.A.D. - Enabling and Mobilising Afghan Disabled

The EMAD project began among Afghan refugees in an eye-hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. Recognizing the large number of untreatable cases, a project was started to help the blind with orientation and mobility. As more needs were recognized, the project expanded to include educational and vocational assistance. Families began to contact the project, asking for assistance, and the project further expanded.

The project targets people with disabilities, their families, community leaders, government officials, school administrators, teachers, non-governmental organizations and disabled peoples’ organizations in Kabul and Parwan provinces.

The project works to strengthen and empower people with disabilities towards full participation in every aspect of life, through rehabilitation, awareness, advocacy, education and social and economic support.

SERVE's Activities:

● Community-based rehabilitation

● Advocacy

● Vocational training

● Inclusive and integrated education

● Education for Children with intellectual Disabilities

● Braille materials production and Afghan Sign Language dictionary

● Teaching of Braille, orientation and mobility

● Integration of deaf students in higher education

The communities participate actively in their habilitation and education of blind clients and they provide resource rooms, volunteers for teaching blind pupils, and vocational training & job placements. These job placements help the blind clients to become self-supporting and active members of their community. In the areas where E.M.A.D. is working with rehabilitation programmes, the attitude of the people regarding the disabled has changed significantly as they now accept that people with disabilities have the right to receive education and that they are able to work. This changes the lives of our clients, as they are now becoming accepted as full members of the society.

The Problem Solver - 'Give me another Math problem!' In front of me sits a big smiling blind boy with his braille mathematics plate. He can't get enough of solving mathematical problems! His brother is sitting next to him, they are both blind and they also have a blind little sister. Their father is watching them and he looks very proud. He is a teacher himself in Kabul City and knows the value of education. Before the boys could start the braille lessons, they were taught by SERVE how to move about more independently, and do chores around the house. SERVE is working on integrating blind children, like these two boys, into local schools so they can enjoy the same education as their other class mates.