22/03/2019
Bridging the Gap presented the progress made, emphasising the need to reduce the gaps in access to education for people with disabilities
Photo of the event held in Ecuador. Author: M. Fanjul (AECID)
European, Spanish and Ecuadorian authorities, development partners and organisations for people with disabilities were all represented at the event to present the progress made in inclusive education within the framework of the project, Bridging the Gap financed by the European Union, for which FIIAPP is acting as management lead.
In Ecuador, the project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the National Council for the Equality of Disabilities (CONADIS) and Ecuadorian organisations for people with disabilities to make the education system more inclusive through the monitoring of indicators with respect to the public educational policy, the exchange of experiences and the development of inclusive educational materials. Project participants have also made a start on increasing social awareness and the training of public employees in methods, techniques and easy-reading tools and accessible formats for people with disabilities.
At the event, organised by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) which is responsible for the implementation of the project in Ecuador, the work done by the National Federation for Deaf People of Ecuador (FENASEC), the National Federation for the Blind of Ecuador (FENCE), the National Federation for Ecuadorians with Physical Disability (FENEDIF), and the Ecuadorian Federation Pro Attention to the Person with Mental Deficiency, Cerebral Palsy, Autism and Down Syndrome (FEPAPDEM) to improve access to education for children with disabilities was made known.
The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Educational Management of Ecuador, Francisco Cevallos, the Ambassador of the European Union to Ecuador, Marianne Van Steen, the Ambassador of Spain to Ecuador, Carlos de Abella y Arístegui, and Gabriela Barahona representing CONADIS, who all stressed the need to continue working in a coordinated manner to tackle deficiencies in access and permanence in the education system of children with disabilities in Ecuador.
