Background:
Disabled children in Armenia suffer high degree of stigma, which impacts on their self-perception, the welfare of their families and the opportunities available to them, in terms of social inclusion and of services.

It is clear through national health-related plans and strategies that the Armenian government is committed to the improvement of services for the disabled, including access to educational opportunities and improved child screening and treatment . However the government does not have the necessary levels of capacity and technical expertise to implement the necessary changes,  nor explicit cooperation with other actors, including private medical services and civil society organisations, to ensure a coordinated approach to the issue.

Therefore, this project aims develop a strategic model to allow children with disabilities  enjoy individual rights as equal members of society,  support family members of disabled, improve associated service delivery particularly in healthcare and develop representative voice for disabled children at decision-making levels.

Action:
The project will contribute to the inclusion of disabled children by properly identifying their disabilities.  Once they are diagnosed they will be referred for the proper treatment (this includes training health personnel and a proper standard tracking and referral system). The project will also help to identify the disabled children which up to now are hidden from the society and the support systems, providing accurate statistical data.  A very important method of inclusion will be the access to formal education for disabled children.

There will be children's clubs with the participation of able-bodied and disabled children, allowing both groups to integrate.

The project will encourage support to disabled children parents and carers for them to know their rights and to advocate for them before the authorities and the society.

The project will try to raise the awarness of the general public on the matter of disabilities, to establish a disability advocacy group (composed of civil society groups and  government institutions) advocating and lobbying for the disabled and to instigate a co-ordinated action by the different ministries dealing with disability matters.