Bethlehem Child Development Center

28 July 2004

Country:

Israel/Occupied Territories

Organisations involved:

Bethlehem Child Development Center (Nur al Bara'h Rehabilitation Society)

Synopsis:

The Bethlehem Child Development Center (BCDC) was established in 1999 to provide rehabilitation services for children suffering from hearing impairment and those with language based learning disabilities. Since its establishment, more than 250 children have been served in the speech and language and social therapy group programs. In addition, 30 children are now involved in the special education program that is targeting integration of children into mainstream schools. BCDC aims to develop as many programs as possible to progress further in achieving its goals.

Last year five students, between the ages of five and six, were successful in enrolling in the first elementary grade. Two of the students were hard of hearing. We have followed the auditory verbal therapy techniques for these children and they are now using age appropriate language. This year we are planning to open two, new advanced level classes in which we will be able to welcome children from the waiting list. The lack of finance and staff are considered to be the main obstacles. Once we overcome them, it will be a great victory.

Issues encountered:

The political situation is highly complex and many children neither can be accessed nor can reach the Center. The economical situation is very threatening to the survival of our Center, which is the only one of its kind in the city because of the closures and the lack of working opportunities. The unemployment percentage has recently reached 85%, and this threatens the children's future as well as their stability. Now we are facing real problems in furnishing the new classes, which are supposed to be ready in August with all the necessary equipment and furniture. Moreover hiring new staff requires specialised training in teaching children with special needs.

Recommendations:

In order to ensure our programs keep running, and our work with hearing impaired children and children with learning disabilities continues, we need to promote our programs further and seek partnership with other organisations.

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