The First international scientific Panel was conducted under the title of “For a Comprehensive Education

Halabja Disabled Organization (HDO) in coordination with University of Halabja – College of Basic Education and funded by Fida International hosted panel discussions on Monday 22 November, 2021 on the subject of inclusive education.

While the discussions were wide-ranging, there was consensus that education should make inclusion integral to their activities for students with special needs.

The panel have been moderated by Mr.Hedayat Muhammad, head of English language department- College of basic education.

The discussion began with Mr. Mariwan wahbi giving a brief overview about the issues concerning the inclusive education and special education for students with disabilities.

Then the first panel mainly focused on Halabja Disabled Organization (HDO) Strategies to Promote Inclusion in Schools with the support of Fida international, after that panelists were discussed  Policy Perspective on Increasing Inclusiveness, the role of psychosocial support on students, challenges in the field of study curriculum, and The Role of Social Education in Enhancing the Ability of Special Need.

The panelists were:

Mr.Mariwan Whabi from Halabja Disabled Organization explained the Strategies to Promote Inclusion in Schools by the organization.

Dr.Lynn Rose “Director of Research and Disability Studies, CGDS & Professor in the Social Sciences, AUIS” expounded An Educational Gap: Disability Inclusion and the Law.

Assist. Prof. Dr .Hussein M, Dean of College of Basic Education from University of Halabja talked about the The Role of Social Education in Enhancing the Ability of Special Need.

Mrs. Heini Sirén, Regional Advisor for Psychosocial Support, Fida international explained the role of psychosocial support on students.

On the second panel the specialists shared Etiquettes and Interacting with People with Disabilities, Integrated Education and Inclusive Education: Moving towards Inclusive Education and Showcasing, different ways in which a person with disabilities can continue studying and overcome their challenges and barriers.

Hikmat Marof, Disability rights activists

Bakhtawar Barzan “Successful students with Disability share his challenges and barriers faced during studying”

Dr.Barzan Hadi, PhD-English Department - University Of Halabja.

Following are a few key points that were raised by the panelists:

·       They identified and talked about different topics that they were interested in or wanted to learn more about inclusive education.

·       Ways to talk or interact with students and persons with special needs and how to support them.

·       Strategies for promote inclusive education.

·       Everyone has a right to education; the government must support inclusive education with reasonable accommodation to support their studying.

·       Main challenges in front of students, Normalization of disability through textbooks and prevent discrimination.

·       Education, including special education, should be a right, not a privilege.

·       Still, a lot of work has to be done and we should advocate for equity and inclusion.

·       We have the laws but in reality the laws are not being implemented.