Discrimination against children with special needs continues to be a problem, not only in Elbasan but everywhere. For this reason, even though they have special needs, every December 3rd, on the International Day of Disability, they raise their voice for their rights.

“Special children need special love and acceptance starts with a smile”, say two students of the special school in Elbasan.

Both boys are students at the “Voices of Life” special school in Elbasan, which currently provides therapeutic services for 54 children with different abilities.

“Currently, the Special School is attended by 54 children with disabilities divided according to diagnoses and age groups, starting from 6 to 19 years old. Today’s activity is titled “Let’s change the labels” because there are still people who bully this category by using different labels. That’s why we have put the emphasis on this theme by collaborating with the children of the “Sul Harri” school and our children, expressing the rights and responsibilities that these children have”, says Rezarta Biçoku, director of the “Zëra Jete” school.

Undoubtedly, the birth and raising of a child with disabilities is a challenge for the family, but accepting this fact is the key to success.

“I dictated to him since he was 4 years old, because the boy did not speak, did not react, had some movements that I did not like. I took him to the hospital and there they told me that the boy suffers from developmental problems. I felt bad as a mother and I prayed to God that this boy will go where he should, because we have to accept both the good and the bad. It’s been 4 years since I took him to the autism center and from there they transferred him here. There is a difference now, he sits on his own, eats on his own, does not wear diapers, is not violent”, says Nertila Hida, parent of a child.

In Albania, there are a total of 6 special schools for students with special abilities, specifically in Elbasan, Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër and Korçë.