Joelle Boutros

1. Lebanese Disability Social Movement: its role in mobilising society towards the full inclusion of people with disabilities (Early Career Research)

Summary

This study tracks the history of the disability rights movement, its evolution and development, tactics used, and its role in promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society from the 1980s till 2024. It seeks to unravel the complex threads that contribute to the marginalization and exclusion of people with disabilities amidst persistent challenges of political, financial, and social dynamics. By examining key historical milestones, legislative developments, and the mobilization of civil society, the study sheds light on the transformative journey toward a more inclusive and equitable society for individuals with disabilities in Lebanon. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were utilized to investigate the complexities surrounding this topic thoroughly. A broad review of archives was carried out from Assafir newspaper archives spanning the 1980s to 2000. Additionally, fourteen open-ended interviews were conducted with activists and organizations in the Lebanese disability field. Quantitative and qualitative analysis methods were used to identify four main themes. The findings reveal that the disability rights movement in Lebanon, which started modestly in the 1970s, has grown into a diverse array of organizations and initiatives driven by dedicated activists in the 1980s and 1990s. However, findings show internal disputes, sectarian tensions, and institutional biases between different actors in the movement, as well as financial constraints and internal divisions that challenge the movement’s cohesion. Despite the latter, significant achievements like Law 220/2000 have been realized, and promises for unity are shown in the recent collaborations and shared consensus on aligning Law 220/2000 with the UN CRPD. The findings also reveal that true inclusion will require strategic planning, governmental engagement, and promoting inclusive practices in education and society. The study provides recommendations to address these issues and strengthen the disability rights movement toward a more inclusive society.

Objectives

The research aims and objectives:

1. Track the evolution of the Lebanese Disability Movement to examine it over time, taking into account the several social and economic instabilities that Lebanon faced and is currently facing, as well as the endorsement of the Lebanese Law 220/2000 followed by the UNCRPD and its impact on this movement towards the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society.
2. Investigate whether the Lebanese movement was influenced by the global disability rights movement that started in the USA in the early 1960s. Identify the reasons that triggered people with disabilities to start their mobilizations and how their actions impacted services and facilities for people with disabilities in Lebanon.
3.  Investigate whether this movement has changed its social perception about disability and whether the services have changed to respond to the social perception.
4. Investigate the role of the different Lebanese disability associations on drafting the Lebanese Law 220/2000 and what global resources and laws they referred to when drafting the law.
5. Examine the role of the Disability movement in pressuring the government to sign and ratify the UNCRPD and its role in implementing the UNCRPD and monitoring such implementation.
6. Investigate the current role of the Disability Rights movement in Lebanon during the multiple crises and to what extent their services promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in society.

Research Questions

How did the Lebanese disability movement and its discourse around disability change in the past forty years?

To investigate the main research question, we examined the following sub-questions.

1. What prompted its establishment and creation?
2. What were its vision/ mission/ priorities and agenda?
3. How did its understanding and perception of disability change over time?
4. What strategies and approaches did it adopt to achieve its mission?
5. How was it shaped/influenced by the global disability movement and international framework?
6. How did it address disability rights amid the current compounding crises in Lebanon?

Findings

From humble beginnings in the 1970s, the disability rights movement in Lebanon has evolved into a diverse landscape of organizations and initiatives fueled by the resilience and determination of activists striving for rights, inclusion, and social justice. Over time, this progress has expanded to encompass a wider range of disabilities, including cognitive and hearing impairments, previously overlooked in advocacy efforts. However, despite this progress, media coverage has often failed to capture the political and sectarian complexities inherent in the Lebanese context. While some people with disabilities and disability organizations have actively sought media visibility to advance their cause, others have opted for a more low-profile approach to avoid obstacles and conflicts of interest. Despite internal disputes and external obstacles, including sectarian tensions and institutional biases, significant legislative milestones such as Law 220/2000 have been achieved. However, internal rifts and financial constraints continue to challenge the Lebanese movement’s cohesion. Recent collaborations offer hope for unity, particularly as Lebanon faces multiple crises. Moving forward, aligning laws with international standards like the UNCRPD and ensuring the protection of people with disabilities during emergencies are critical. Achieving true inclusion will require strategic planning, governmental engagement, and the promotion of inclusive practices in education and society.

2. Disability Rights Social Movement in Lebanon (Early Career Research follow-on funding)

Summary

The project examined the Lebanese disability rights movement, its development since its establishment in the1980s and its role in promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society nowadays. 

The researcher completed on the Document analysis and reviews of newspaper archives that cover topics about the Lebanese disability movement from the 1980s- 2000 (when the Law 220/2000 was endorsed), and mapping the activities related to the different disability associations, organizations, and activists. Also, the researcher completed 16 personal interviews with disability activists in Lebanon and hosted a round table discussion with disability activists and organizations on 7 February 2024.