Inclusion International recently hosted an important discussion at the World Congress in Sharjah, UAE.

This meeting, called “Putting people with disabilities at the heart of inclusive education during emergencies,” brought together self-advocates, family leaders, and experts in inclusive education from around the world.

The message of the session was clear: children with disabilities have the right to education, even during emergencies like wars, natural disasters, or displacement.

Why This Is Urgent

When a crisis happens, children with disabilities are the most likely to be completely shut out of education.

The session was led by Jose Viera from the International Disability Alliance (IDA). He explained that keeping people with disabilities safe during a crisis is not enough. 

All of our rights, including the right to access education, must be looked after and supported. This connection between inclusive education and emergency situations has not received enough attention until recently.

Speakers from countries like Niger, Colombia, Lebanon, and Burkina Faso shared their experiences, highlighting major barriers:

Siddo Nouhou Oumarou (Niger) shared stories to show that education for people with disabilities has often been treated like “a luxury,” instead of necessary.

Issofou Zoungrana (Burkina Faso) agreed, saying that delaying education during a crisis holds children back, emphasizing that “inclusion cannot wait”.

Dabougui Halimatou (Niger) noted that people with intellectual disabilities are extremely vulnerable and often forgotten when aid is handed out during humanitarian crises.

Monica Cortes (Colombia) said that many aid organisations still see including children with disabilities as a cost, instead of a priority.

Monica Cortes of Colombia speaks at the World Congress session, called “Putting people with disabilities at the heart of inclusive education during emergencies”.

Local Action and Success Stories

The panel showed how local groups (Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, or OPDs) are making a real difference.

Siddo Nouhou Oumarou and Monica Cortes presented together on a collaborative project, funded by Education Cannot Wait, on Inclusive Education in Emergency Settings involving IDA, Inclusion International, the Niger Federation of Persons with Disabilities and ASDOWN Colombia and funded by Education Cannot Wait.

The project focuses on improving the ability of OPDs and humanitarian aid organisations to work together in Niger and Colombia. Through the project, OPDs were able to join humanitarian networks and build strong partnerships.

Beyond the Inclusion International project, several speakers shared strong examples of how inclusive education can work in crisis situations.

Fadia Farah (Lebanon) challenged the idea that inclusive education is too hard during a crisis. She shared the powerful example of a school near heavily bombed areas that kept teaching because the director firmly believed that all children can learn.

Mia Farah (Self-Advocate, Lebanon) said that “In Lebanon, because most children can’t go to school, many families decided to flee the country to allow their children to continue learning”.

Sandra Benitez Harauca (Colombia) detailed her work in Arauca, where she actively sought out children with disabilities, identified barriers like the fear among displaced families, and used lessons learned to advocate for inclusive education locally. 

Issofou Zoungrana described how OPDs formed a network to support teachers and successfully advocated for aid groups to include adapted tools for people with disabilities in their programs.

“No Other Alternative”

The session ended with speakers sharing their hopes for the future.

Sandra Benitez Harauca said schools must use accessible tools, involve families, and train teachers in different ways of teaching.

Speakers agreed that even during emergencies, education systems must stay inclusive. Issofou Zoungrana added that real change often begins in times of crisis.

Monica Cortes spoke about her vision of schools where all children learn together and keep improving through flexible models.

Siddo Nouhou Oumarou of Niger speaks on the project.

Siddo Nouhou Oumarou said there is “no other alternative” to inclusive education in emergencies. He also shared that the ECW project will soon release free online tools to help aid workers, teachers, and families make education more inclusive.

As moderator, Jose Viera closed by saying that emergencies are not a reason to stop inclusion. They are a chance to build it. Education is not an add-on. It is a right.