Friends of the Disabled

In Lebanon, Friends of the Disabled Association (FDA) aims to assist in the development of children and youth with special needs. The goal is to help disabled youth reach their utmost potential, and eventually to become independent.

The FDA was first established in 1978 and has been working since to help strengthen families and communities and care for disabled children and youth in those communities by offering counseling services and providing trainings to parents of disabled children. The association offers assessment and diagnosis services, schooling assistance, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy.

It also provides training in self-advocacy: namely, the ability “to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you“, especially in the face of labeling, marginalization and discrimination. To help students achieve autonomy, the FDA also provides vocational training to youth over 18. This summer, a Ramadan Bazaar gave disabled youth the chance to sell some of their hand-made crafts.

For more info – www.friendsfordisabled.org