The challenges of inclusive education in Lebanon

This article reports on a study conducted in Lebanon by four non‐governmental organizations, primarily on the topic of inclusion of people with disabilities in education, with a secondary focus on inclusion in employment. This article reports on some of the findings of the assessment process that was four months in duration and aimed, through interviews and focus groups, to identify available information, current policies and legislation, main stakeholders and existing programmes. Findings of the assessment generated themes that are unique to each of the two groups: parents and children, and educators. However, there are some common themes, such as a perceived need for raising awareness on disability issues and a perceived lack of adequate teacher training. The article concludes by arguing for change efforts on various levels to support inclusion: awareness‐raising; policy change; capacity‐building; and community‐building.