Supporting Education for Students with Disabilities Amid COVID-19 in Jordan

Prepred by: Asia Yaghi I am a Human society foRights of Persons with Disability Education for all Learners: a sustainable approach in response to COVID-19 in Jordan, and the impact of the epidemic on students with disability

Amidst the spread of the global pandemic COVID-19, all members of society ae impacted, the most affected, both by the pandemic and by response measures, are the poorest and the most vulnerable. This has impacted children who face a number of challenges affecting lifestyle and way of living.

Main risks facing students with disability in the field of education Continued discrimination and deprivation exacerbated under the prevailing COVID-19 - Lack of real effective and practical measures adopted by concerned official and unofficial entities due to the unprecedented phenomena - Lack of school technical preparedness for the provision of remote learning - Some regions lack internet services, and sometimes lack the capacity to provide electronic appliances/applications required to facilitate accessible and continuous communication - High cost of electronic/virtual learning - Learning platforms do not reflect reasonable accommodation in terms of availability of sign language interpretation or braille formatting -

I am Human Response Means supporting and a specific approach during the epedicmic through the following: Identify numbers of students enrolled at schools - Outreach and communicate with families of students with disability - Identify type of needs such as the tablet, internet bundles/package, assisting teachers, etc. - Discuss with students the way they wish to receive their education and the importance in compliance and commitment to the general situation and requirements - Alert and advise families and students in limiting movement/contact and exposure/socializing - Provision of aid and facilitation means such as chairs, hygiene, sanitizers, etc. - Build communication bridges with families, the society and the person with disability. Ensure availability of the society s a 24-hour phone service/hotline accessible to students and families for complaint/emergency -

Secure some medical aid, financial and/or in-kind support Coordinate with the ministry of Social Development on the provision of names, for both students and non-students, information and requirements in the different governorates. Outreach and communicate with societies in different governorates to accommodate the shortages and learn of situation of students with disability on the ground. Communicate and coordinate with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disability to furnish language sign interpreters and to issue permits to enable I am Human reach cases that were difficult to access Documents some cases of violation subjected on persons with disability by families or the society Provide a general training to volunteers and some of the families of students with disabilities to enable them deal with the situation under the pandemic

2. How do we reach families of children with disability: Through I am Human database and information list on students with disability Communication with societies and CBOs in governorates which provides an easy way to locate and identify them specially in poverty pockets. Reach out and identify persons with disabilities through friends, acquaintances and members of the society. Through our page on social media platform that offers the opportunity and room to share and add data Media, visual and audio, which hosted members of the society Role played by mosques, churches, advertisement by the society, meetings with religious men, etc., helped in the successful implementation of our projects.

3 What type of support we provide to parents of persons with mental disability? Direct support through telephone communication Messages through WhatsApp to provide advise, guidance and support by a mental health specialist on different types of disabilities Mainstream the problem and difficulties faced by persons with mental disabilities in all ministries and the parliament to facilitate their movement in public spheres and street. Response to the need for recreational activities such as leaving the house, going for a drive and need to change environment which impact their health status; and use minute and specific details to explain, persuade and get approvals. Inform families who were harmed on how to file complaints to the concerned authorities such as the National Center for Human Rights Follow up on global learning methods and means to communicate instructions and guidance to concerned parties

Preparing a list of educational and recreational needs with experts working with students with mental disabilities and pursue efforts to secure it through donors Reiterate the importance of awareness on healthy diet by informing families on the to cater for proper diet and healthy meals. Fatigue and burden of household responsibilities overwhelm families to the extent that they lose focus on their responsibilities towards their children with disabilities, thus thee is a need to comunicate and keep in close contact with parents, especially mothers. Alert and advise families of COVUD-19 symptoms and the need to report on any, as well as the urgency in reporting cases of domestic violence and any form of abuse Ensure that mothers monitor the monthly hygiene needs and requirements of female students

Alert moghers of the dangers of their kids using the phone and the internet for long hours The need and importance for mothers to monitor their teen-age children usage of internet; if they are subjected to sexual abuse or luring or manipulation, also if the content is of a violent and harmful nature that can enhance levels or tendency of aggressive behaviors in some children. Request and encourage families to continue and maintain administering the required prescribed medication Provide families with the opportunity to talk and to listen to each member who wishes to share and express their concerns, problems and any other issues.

We commit to our pledge to rebuild our society through efforts to assist in the recovery of COVID-19; through the optimal utilization of the situation and opportunity at hand towards a society inclusive of all including students with disability. To further utilize the opportunities availed during the pandemic to provide accessible education to all students, train teachers on remote teaching setting the grounds for a future education inclusive to all. Aspiring for a more sustainable and more inclusive society for all members in line with the articles of the law for the Rights of the Persons with Disability, the international conventions on child, and those on children with disabilities and the sustainable development goals.