Table of contentsacknowledgments .................................................................................................................................................................................. 3abbreviations .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 71. chapter one ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 91.1 Presentation of <strong>the</strong> report and its goals ................................................................................................................................... 91.2 Methodology used ................................................................................................................................................................................. 91.3 Background of designation and classification of individuals <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> ......................................................... 102. chapter Two ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 152.1 The situation of <strong>education</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>children</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> in <strong>the</strong> period 1944 <strong>to</strong> 1990 .................................... 152.2 The situation of <strong>education</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>children</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> in <strong>the</strong> period 1990 onwards .................................. 31bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 406 The <strong>right</strong> <strong>to</strong> Inclusive Education <strong>for</strong> <strong>children</strong> <strong>with</strong> Disabilities
PrefaceSpecial Education in Albania has its own his<strong>to</strong>ry of development. The institutionalized treatment of <strong>children</strong><strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> began as early as 1963 <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> establishment of <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>for</strong> Blind and Deaf Students.Later on, after 1970s in <strong>the</strong> cities where <strong>the</strong>re were psychiatric hospitals, <strong>the</strong> first schools <strong>for</strong> students <strong>with</strong>mild mental retardation were opened. It should be emphasized that <strong>the</strong> state policy of treating <strong>children</strong><strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> during communism period in Albania, was not a social policy in its nature, but imbued <strong>with</strong><strong>the</strong> ideology and philosophy of that time, which encouraged exclusion and segregation of this group ofindividuals. Establishment of special <strong>education</strong> and care institutions <strong>for</strong> <strong>children</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong>, was anexpression of <strong>the</strong> old model of centralized government, in contrast <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> political and administrativedecentralization, which <strong>the</strong> Albanian state underwent after 1990s.Individuals <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> were regarded as mentally handicapped, unable <strong>to</strong> care <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>mselves ando<strong>the</strong>rs, as a burden <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir family and society, as nuga<strong>to</strong>ry. Using <strong>the</strong> medical approach, rehabilitationprofessionals identified individuals <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong>, based on <strong>the</strong> impairment <strong>the</strong>y had. Their impairmentcame <strong>to</strong> be seen as <strong>the</strong> most notable feature of <strong>the</strong>ir identity (often <strong>the</strong> only one) <strong>for</strong> people <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong>,who instead of being called on <strong>the</strong>ir name, were instead called on <strong>the</strong>ir diagnosis. Prior <strong>to</strong> 1990s, <strong>children</strong>/individuals <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> were labeled <strong>with</strong> pejorative and disparaging terms, such as feebleminded, idiot,fool, sick, handicapped, mentally ill, insane, deficient and so on. The use of <strong>the</strong>se terms stemmed mostly from<strong>the</strong> medical model of disability treatment, because even <strong>the</strong> commission of designation of <strong>the</strong> disability,operated by <strong>the</strong>se definitions. Most frequent diagnosis by medical boards were: deficiency of a high degree,imbecile, idiot and <strong>the</strong> like. Consequently, persons <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong>, defined as “unable” <strong>for</strong> doing anything,were set apart <strong>to</strong> be educated in special schools and were enrolled in residential institutions, away from<strong>the</strong> regular school system and community. The process of disability assessment, was based entirely on<strong>the</strong> medical model. Needs of persons <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong>, have traditionally been treated separately and inspecialized services, which has led <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir exclusion from society.Multifaceted democratic trans<strong>for</strong>mations that occurred in our country after 1990s influenced also <strong>the</strong>area of <strong>education</strong> and undoubtedly special <strong>education</strong> as well. Thanks <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> opening of <strong>the</strong> country, mainly<strong>to</strong>wards western countries of strong democracy, new notions and concepts were introduced in treatmentand importance that should be placed <strong>to</strong> special <strong>education</strong>. Thus in <strong>the</strong> new legal documentation that wasdrafted, <strong>the</strong> law “On Pre-University Education System,” No. 7592, dt. 06.21.1995 of <strong>the</strong> National Parliament,as well as Normative Provisions <strong>for</strong> public schools, <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> first time, special <strong>education</strong> was given a chapterof its own. Major changes that occurred in Albania in recent years, were reflected also in <strong>the</strong> policy and legalframework that supported <strong>children</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> and <strong>the</strong>ir families. Persons <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong> currentlycomprise <strong>the</strong> largest group of individuals in need under <strong>the</strong> Albanian legislation on <strong>the</strong> social protectionsystem. Traditionally, <strong>the</strong>se individuals are supported in different <strong>for</strong>ms by society and <strong>the</strong> state.Albanian Government is engaged in <strong>the</strong> processing of <strong>the</strong> general guidelines, which ensure in a national level<strong>the</strong> <strong>right</strong>s of persons <strong>with</strong> <strong>disabilities</strong>. Part of this process is also <strong>the</strong> re<strong>for</strong>m of deinstitutionalization anddecentralization of services. The national strategy based on Law No. 9355 dt. 03.10.2005 “On Assistanceand Social Services” is provided:The <strong>right</strong> <strong>to</strong> Inclusive Education <strong>for</strong> <strong>children</strong> <strong>with</strong> Disabilities7