Disability Equality Training (DET) and Self-Advocacy Workshop
Paro College of Education (PCE) with financial support from Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) and International Development Research Center (IDRC) conducted a two-day training workshop event on DET and self-advocacy on September 18 and 19, 2023. This event is a part of a joint project titled ‘A Multi-Country Study on Educational Innovations for Out of School Children (OOSC) and Children at Risk of Dropping Out (covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal). The event was conducted jointly with experts from Disabled People’s Organization of Bhutan (DPOB) and PCE at Tushita Eco-Lodge in Paro. About 35 participants attended the event. The participants included SEN teachers, parents, children with disability from the four implementing partners of the project namely, Changangkha Middle School, Yangchen Gatshel High School, Ability Bhutan Society and VTOB Foundation. Similarly, the tutors and PCE postgraduate students of MEd in Inclusive Education attended the training workshop event.
The objectives for conducting this training event are as follows:
- Promote awareness and understanding of disability rights, challenges, and the significance of inclusion;
- Increase awareness of comprehensive sexuality education for children and youth with disabilities;
- Empower participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively support individuals with disabilities in various social and educational settings;
- Emphasize the importance of self-advocacy for individual rights, self-care, seeking support, and learning from others, especially for individuals with disabilities;
- Facilitate a collaborative approach among parents, educators, and community members to advance disability equality;
- Educate children, youth with disabilities, and their parents about job opportunities and workplace conduct; and
- Reduce stigma and dispel misconceptions related to disabilities to foster a more inclusive and accepting society.
