Inclusive Education - Opportunities for Vulnerable Children

When HKI was founded in 1915, it was known as the Permanent Blind Relief War Fund and its objectives included helping soldiers blinded in World War I. In the 1940's, after HKI was renamed the American Foundation for Oversees Blind, rehabilitation programs expanded beyond aid to soldiers (including those blinded in World War II) to offer programs in Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Today, Opportunities for Vulnerable Children (OVC) addresses the lack of access to and quality of education for children with visual and hearing impairments, intellectual and cognitive disabilities and physical disabilities in the DKI Jakarta, Central Java, South Sulwesi, and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam provinces of Indonesia. Countrywide, there is an estimated 1.5 million children with disabilities, yet fewer than four percent have access to any educational services. OVC works with the government of Indonesia to develop inclusive education systems that mobilize local communities and school officials to ensure the removal of barriers that impede children's ability to access their human right to education.

HKI provides training and technical assistance to more than 2,000 teachers, school headmasters and families to build their capacity to address the specific needs of this population. The program also helps develop policy to maximize the allocation of government resources and its ability to implement inclusive education systems that mitigate stigmas, highlight student potential and bring attention to the rights of children with disabilities. OVC opens doors that were previously closed to children with visual impairment and other disabilities.

HKI trains village heads, local health posts and schools to identify children with disabilities and develop procedures to enroll them in school and trains headmasters and teachers on inclusive school and classroom management. Additionally, HKI implements intensive multi-year disability training for resource teachers who provide support services to children with disabilities in mainstream schools. HKI also involves universities and local NGOs in the design and implementation of the trainings so that local knowledge and skills are developed and the sustainability of the program is enhanced.

In Indonesia, the program has led to major policy changes that have resulted in immediate and long-term improvements to student access. HKI's efforts have resulted in significant increases in government funding for inclusive education on the national and provincial level. Through this program, more than 1,900 previously un-enrolled children are entering schools. HKI is currently working to expand this program to Bangladesh and within the Asia Pacific Region.