To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, participants in the “Nidaa’ for Change” project, implemented by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), launched their new initiative titled “Building Hope: Towards the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Education.” This pioneering step reflects the project’s belief in the potential of girls to challenge prevailing norms and create positive, lasting change in their communities.
As part of the initiative’s activities, the young women carried out a field visit on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to the Comprehensive Sports City Center for Inclusive Day Services. The visit aimed to equip them with practical skills for working with children with disabilities. Center staff guided best practices in inclusive education, as well as methods for developing children’s skills and fostering their creativity, helping build a more equitable and inclusive learning environment.
After the guidance session, the young women joined the children in interactive and joyful activities that left a meaningful impact on both sides. This hands-on experience will serve as an important starting point they take back to their schools and communities, spreading knowledge, raising awareness of the value of inclusive education, and implementing innovative initiatives that support the rights of children with disabilities to learn in safe, stimulating environments.
Participant Aseenat Abu Azzam (15 years old) emphasized the importance of this effort, saying: “We launched this initiative because we believe in the right of children with disabilities to education, equality, and creativity. The most beautiful part was seeing the smiles on their faces—they deserve every chance to achieve their dreams.”
Participant Lilyan Murtada (18 years old) stressed the need to raise community awareness, adding: “Through our initiative, we aim to deliver a message to all members of society, students, teachers, decision-makers, and parents, about the importance of ensuring the right of children with disabilities to inclusive education that meets their needs.”
The initiative represents a practical example of the “Nidaa’ for Change” vision to empower girls and strengthen their role as genuine leaders in advancing education and social justice—by providing learning opportunities and enabling them to design and implement their own initiatives.
The Nidaa’ for Change project is implemented by ARDD under the IGNITE project—Inspiring Girls and Grassroots Networks for Inclusive and Transformative Education—with the support of the René Moawad Foundation, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and in cooperation with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The project works to empower girls aged 15 to 19 from refugee and marginalized communities in Amman and Mafraq, equipping them with the tools and confidence needed to lead change in education.
