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Armenian children's photos put spotlight on disability

08 Dec 2006 10:23:09 GMT
Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)

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“All of us are special, everyone is unique” photo exhibition at Yerevan Municipality
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org

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.

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Last updated:Fri Dec 8 11:12:56 2006