Celebrating inclusion and empowerment: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

On 3rd December each year, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a powerful reminder of the need to build a more inclusive and equitable world. This day celebrates the achievements of persons with disabilities while highlighting their challenges and the collective responsibility to remove these barriers.

At UK Care for Children, we’re committed to supporting children with disabilities, especially Palestinian refugees in Lebanon—one of the most marginalised and vulnerable groups in the region. This focus is especially critical, as Palestinian refugees with disabilities face compounded challenges due to displacement, poverty, and limited access to services.

The challenges of disability and displacement

Living as a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon comes with significant hardships. Refugees often reside in overcrowded camps with inadequate infrastructure, restricted employment opportunities, and limited access to education and healthcare. For children with disabilities, these challenges are magnified.

In many refugee camps, basic facilities such as schools and healthcare centres are not equipped to meet the needs of children with physical or cognitive disabilities. A lack of mobility aids, rehabilitation services, and specialised educational support further isolates these children, denying them the opportunity to thrive.

At UKC4C, we recognise that children with disabilities are not defined by their limitations but by their potential. Through targeted initiatives, we are working to empower children with disabilities, including Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, to overcome the barriers they face. Our work includes:

• Inclusive education programmes: We support Palestinian refugee children with disabilities by providing access to adaptive learning environments, teacher training, and assistive technologies. These efforts ensure that every child, regardless of ability, can access education.
• Healthcare and rehabilitation services: For families living in refugee camps, accessing disability-related healthcare is often financially out of reach. UKC4C partners with local organisations to provide mobility aids, physiotherapy, and other critical services to help children with disabilities lead more independent lives.

Building a sustainable future means ensuring no child is left behind, regardless of ability or background. For Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, inclusion is not only about meeting immediate needs—it’s about creating opportunities for children to break the cycle of poverty and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

How you can help

Empowering children with disabilities, particularly those in refugee settings, requires a united effort. Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Donate to UKC4C: Your support enables us to deliver life-changing programmes to Palestinian refugee children with disabilities. Donate today.
2. Advocate for inclusion: Use your voice to highlight the struggles faced by refugee children with disabilities. Sharing stories and campaigns helps amplify the message of inclusion.
3. Volunteer your expertise: Whether you’re a healthcare professional, an educator, or a passionate advocate, your skills can help transform lives. Learn how to get involved on our volunteer page.

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let’s not only celebrate the resilience and potential of persons with disabilities but also commit to addressing the unique challenges faced by children in refugee contexts.

Regardless of ability or circumstance, every child deserves the chance to thrive.