Tweet
ARMENIAN CHILDREN'S PHOTOS PUT SPOTLIGHT ON DISABILITY
Reuters, UK
Dec 8 2006
Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Children Photo Exhibition entitled 'All of us are special, everyone
is unique' has opened in Armenia's capital Yerevan. The exhibition
is another opportunity to put the spotlight on disability - related
issues to the general public through the eyes of Armenian children.
The photographs by children from Yerevan, Gyumri and other regions
of Armenia illustrate the problems of people with disabilities to
promote the idea of their integration in every aspect of economic and
social life. The exhibition is part of series of events dedicated to
the International Day of Disabled People organised by World Vision
Armenia Child Protection Program in cooperation with UNICEF and
Yerevan Municipality.
'These children need our friendly attitude more than assistance. Who
says that having two hands and legs is a norm!' said Hrach Melkonyan,
15, the author of a couple of photos at the exhibition. 'My concern
is that the people with disabilities should be under the shelter of
our government, and I tried to reflect this idea in one of my photos
depicting a disabled boy under the National Flag.'
In Armenia fear of being discriminated keeps children with disabilities
away from social interactions, educational and development
opportunities open to other children. Many end up in special
institutions, which are often unable to work with them effectively
for the lack of essential technical and methodological resources.
'I met a lot of children with disabilities, and I know how they feel.
Many of them don't have friends; they are ashamed of interactions,
and prefer living apart,' said Noushig Hovhannissyan, 16, a member
of World Vision Armenia Gyumri Photo Club.
'Via the photos the children tried to bring into focus individuals
who seek for integration in the society despite their abilities,' said
Artashes Hakobyan, the head of World Vision Armenia Gyumri Photo Club.
In spite of some positive changes and efforts by the Government and
NGOs to develop a legal basis and create more favorable economic and
social conditions for persons with disabilities, there is still much
to be done on the issue of people with disabilities in Armenia.
Challenges range from lack of access to public buildings and transport
to economic and social discrimination.
'The exhibition serves to foster better understanding of the challenges
that people with disabilities face, and once again remind the audience
about dignity, well-being, equal rights and opportunities of these
people,' said Kamo Areyan, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan, the honorable
guest of the exhibition.
This special event was launched in the presence of government
officials, university students and young people with and without
disabilities, representatives of youth organizations, NGOs and
mass-media.
December 3 celebrations within World Vision Child Protection Program
aimed to emphasize the responsibility of society to ensure equal
participation of all its members, regardless of their abilities or
social situation.
Reuters, UK
Dec 8 2006
Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Children Photo Exhibition entitled 'All of us are special, everyone
is unique' has opened in Armenia's capital Yerevan. The exhibition
is another opportunity to put the spotlight on disability - related
issues to the general public through the eyes of Armenian children.
The photographs by children from Yerevan, Gyumri and other regions
of Armenia illustrate the problems of people with disabilities to
promote the idea of their integration in every aspect of economic and
social life. The exhibition is part of series of events dedicated to
the International Day of Disabled People organised by World Vision
Armenia Child Protection Program in cooperation with UNICEF and
Yerevan Municipality.
'These children need our friendly attitude more than assistance. Who
says that having two hands and legs is a norm!' said Hrach Melkonyan,
15, the author of a couple of photos at the exhibition. 'My concern
is that the people with disabilities should be under the shelter of
our government, and I tried to reflect this idea in one of my photos
depicting a disabled boy under the National Flag.'
In Armenia fear of being discriminated keeps children with disabilities
away from social interactions, educational and development
opportunities open to other children. Many end up in special
institutions, which are often unable to work with them effectively
for the lack of essential technical and methodological resources.
'I met a lot of children with disabilities, and I know how they feel.
Many of them don't have friends; they are ashamed of interactions,
and prefer living apart,' said Noushig Hovhannissyan, 16, a member
of World Vision Armenia Gyumri Photo Club.
'Via the photos the children tried to bring into focus individuals
who seek for integration in the society despite their abilities,' said
Artashes Hakobyan, the head of World Vision Armenia Gyumri Photo Club.
In spite of some positive changes and efforts by the Government and
NGOs to develop a legal basis and create more favorable economic and
social conditions for persons with disabilities, there is still much
to be done on the issue of people with disabilities in Armenia.
Challenges range from lack of access to public buildings and transport
to economic and social discrimination.
'The exhibition serves to foster better understanding of the challenges
that people with disabilities face, and once again remind the audience
about dignity, well-being, equal rights and opportunities of these
people,' said Kamo Areyan, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan, the honorable
guest of the exhibition.
This special event was launched in the presence of government
officials, university students and young people with and without
disabilities, representatives of youth organizations, NGOs and
mass-media.
December 3 celebrations within World Vision Child Protection Program
aimed to emphasize the responsibility of society to ensure equal
participation of all its members, regardless of their abilities or
social situation.