Braille and Beyond: Ali’s Journey Back to School

Education Cannot Wait funding for UNICEF-supported Blind Care Association Centre supports the education of children and adolescents with vision impairments in Syria

By Education Cannot Wait

January 4^th, 2024

Adapted Story from the Field. Special Contribution by UNICEF Syria (Original).

“Going to school has meant a lot to me.” ~Ali, 18

When Ali’s grade 12 exam results came back, he was overjoyed to discover he had passed with flying colors. After years in and out of school, this achievement gave Ali the confidence to begin dreaming of his future as a lawyer.

Born with severe vision impairments, school had always posed a challenge for Ali – both academically and socially. Overcoming these challenges had become increasingly difficult when Ali’s family was forced to flee their hometown of Ar Rastan in rural Homs, Syria in 2015 due to persistent conflict in the area. In his new school, he contended with social exclusion, bullying and a lack of accommodation to support his learning. Ali found himself frequently in and out of school until a reprieve in fighting allowed him to return to his hometown in 2020 at the age of fifteen.

Finally back home, Ali was eager to resume his education and enrolled back in the local school. Once more, he struggled to remain in school and dropped out to help his mother take care of their farm. This was until he received an invitation to enroll at the Education Cannot Wait and UNICEF-supported local education centre, Blind Care Association Centre. At the centre, Ali has discovered a supportive and accessible environment that has provided him with the tools necessary to not only stay in school, but to thrive there.

Ali reads a book using Braille at the ECW-funded Blind Care Association Centre in Ar Rastan, rural Homs. © UNICEF/Abdallah Agha

One of the most valuable tools Ali has gained at the school is an understanding of braille – a language used by people with vision impairments that can be read through touch, assigning meaning to combinations of raised dots. At school, Ali has been trained in the basics of braille reading and writing, and provided with learning materials that have also been converted into braille.

“I love the way they teach us at the centre, the use of braille is just perfect. Also, it is amazing to have materials that are designed especially for my situation.” ~Ali

The use of braille supports children with vision impairments to overcome communication barriers related to accessing information in an equitable way to others without vision impairments – barriers that can make enrollment and ultimately advancement in school difficult. For many children with vision impairments in Syria, access to school has been cut off due to the conflict. Those who do enroll in formal education are unlikely to be accommodated with a curriculum that meets their needs. With this harsh reality in mind, ECW and UNICEF are committed to supporting children like Ali in an accommodating setting.

At the Blind Care Association Centre, braille is used to relay educational information in literacy, remedial and early childhood education activities. Trained teachers are equipped with the knowledge and materials necessary to ensure children can advance in their studies. Students have access to a room with dedicated resources to support them while they study for their exams. Additionally, to offer students well-rounded support at school and at home, their parents are invited to attend awareness sessions on best-practices for supporting their children with vision impairments.

“My teachers are not only kind, but they are also understanding. They know how to help me to learn.” ~Ali

Ali, 18, chats with staff and one of the workers at the Blind Care Association Centre in Ar Rastan, rural Homs. © UNICEF/Abdallah Agha

Undeterred by past challenges, Ali achieved a significant milestone in 2021, obtaining his grade nine national certificate. He then continued his educational journey at the centre, which led to the successful completion of his grade 12 exams in 2023.

"I wasn't expecting to pass! I am so happy that I did. I can now continue learning and study law. Of course, this wouldn't be possible without the help I received here." ~Ali

Ali has discovered a safe space to explore and learn in a way that fosters his overall development. With a beaming smile, he shared his aspirations for the future, saying, "I am getting closer to my dream. I will be a lawyer and defend vulnerable people." After his long journey in and out of the school system, he has finally found an environment that best supports his growth and allows him to dream big.

Ali learns in school through the use of the braille language at the Blind Care Association Centre in Ar Rastan, rural Homs. © UNICEF/Abdallah Agha

For over a decade, children in Syria have grown up in the midst of a conflict that has consistently disrupted access to education. Since 2017, ECW investments in Syria have supported in-country partners, including UNICEF, to ensure education access to children affected by the ongoing conflict.

Children with disabilities are often left furthest behind – especially during crises – and require sensitive, targeted and inclusive accommodations. ECW has committed to a wide range of programmes to help children with disabilities enroll and thrive in school. Ali is one of nearly 417,000 girls and boys in Syria reached by ECW and partner support to date. In 2022 alone, ECW’s global funding provided nearly 66,000 children with disabilities with access to essential learning and support materials and devices – including glasses, braille typewriters, and materials printed in braille and large font.

All children have the right to a quality education. For Ali, making this right a reality was possible with the use of braille and assistive materials in the classroom that gave him what he needed to attend and excel in school. On World Braille Day, ECW calls on the international community to step up funding support so that more crisis-affected children like Ali receive the crucial resources, empowerment and opportunities to reach their full potential.

Ali smiles in his classroom in Syria. © UNICEF/Abdallah Agha

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