This classification Workshop entitled: “Disability Assessment and Determination in Lebanon” is organized by the Centre for Lebanese Studies at the Lebanese American University in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA Beirut) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This workshop is part of the Disability Under Siege project funded by University of Birmingham.
 
Disability policy is changing fast in Arab countries. Several countries have or are in the process of changing their disability laws, have already developed disability inclusion strategies or are in the process of doing so. Countries have also adjusted their institutional frameworks to conform with the requirements of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

In this context, Lebanon is interested in revising its disability assessment and determination procedures – away from medical models towards multi-dimensional assessments. Several approaches exist for such kind of multi-dimensional assessment, including the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and tools such as the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0).

This workshop will bring together representatives from organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in Lebanon, and representatives from the academic community. It will provide an overview of where Lebanon currently stands in terms of its disability assessment and determination system, the opportunities and challenges to update it. In addition to exploring the best mechanisms to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities themselves and OPDs in this process.