Towards Inclusive Education in Armenia

Innovative Practice of the Zero Project 2016

Presenter: Susanna Tadevosyan president of Bridge of Hope

Zero Project Conference 2016 10–12th February 2016, United Nations Office/Vienna International Centre

(VIC), Austria

“Bridge of Hope”: Vision, Mission

Vision: Inclusive Society in Armenia

Mission: Enhance inclusion of People with Disabilities.

Steps Towards Final Goal Education Employment Dignified life

Key Directions of Bridge of Hope Work:

Inclusive Policies &

Developments Changing mindsets

Partnerships

Empowerment

Employment

Accessible Services

Inclusive Education

Directions

“Towards Inclusive Education in Armenia” Project

Context at the Start of Project

Lack of awareness

No access to services

Medical Model

Weak disability

movement

Hidden Voices

Segregated education

Tragedy for the family

Prejudice and stigma

Segregation in policies, practices, ideas and beliefs Total Exclusion

Phases of the project

2001-2003 2004-2007 2008-2011 2011-2014

Pilot Expansion Consolidation Towards Inclusive system of education

Project Results

Pilot of inclusive system of education

Pilot of scheme of transforming special

schools

Attitude change Improved Pre-service

capacity IE is part of teachers’

pre-service programm

Parents’ empowerment. Mass Media. Teachers training. From Special to regular school.

In-service training capacity Enhanced understanding Movement launched. Enabling legal framework

Phase 1

Phase 3 Phase 2

Phase 4

Outcomes

Towards Inclusive

Education in Armenia

Dramatically decreased number of children in special schools and institutions.

Higher acceptance of inclusive education at all levels of the society

Inclusive Legal Framework and

curricula adopted.

By 2022 all special schools of Armenia have

to be transformed into regional pedagogical-psychological support

centres

By 2025 all mainstream schools of Armenia will become inclusive.

THANKS TO DONOR COMMUNITY

NORAD

OSF ESP

ADA

UNICEF

DANIDA

OSF ECP

National and International Recognitions

Golden Medal of Armenian Ministry of Education

Emir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah International Prize 2013 to Promote Quality Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities.

Innovative Practice

THANK YOU!

CO

NTA

CT

US

Name: Susanna Tadevosyan

Phone: +37491 405 219

Email: bridge@arminco.com

WEB

SITE

www.bridgeofhope.am