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Bihimmetkum Association
Our Vision
Young people with disabilities who have the ability to create change, the desire to demand their rights, and the will to engage in society as an integral part of the youth community.
Our Mission
The association aims to support and empower young people with disabilities in Palestinian society by building their diverse capacities, enabling them to advocate for their rights, and strengthening their role in advancing the reality of youth with disabilities. It also seeks to enhance their participation in decision-making and drive positive change in their Palestinian community.
About the Association
Bihimmetkum Association for Youth with Disabilities is a youth-led organization that emerged from the first youth conference for persons with disabilities, “I Am Part”, held in Ramallah in 2017. The conference saw the active participation of 172 individuals with disabilities (93 females and 79 males) as part of the “Bihimmetkum” project, implemented by the Palestinian Vision Organization with the support of Diakonia (NAD).
Bihimmetkum is the first association for youth with disabilities in Palestine. It was officially registered in 2019 and is managed by a board consisting of nine young individuals with disabilities (six males and three females). The association aims to support and empower young people with disabilities, build their various capacities to advocate for their rights, and enhance their role in improving their reality, participating in decision-making, and driving positive change in Palestinian society.
Main Objectives of the Association:
- Raising societal awareness about the issues and rights of young people with disabilities.
- Increasing the community participation of young people with disabilities and enhancing their role in decision-making.
- Empowering persons with disabilities and mobilizing their energy to achieve the goals and priorities of young people with disabilities.
Implementation Mechanism of the Objectives:
- Producing and disseminating knowledge on the issues and priorities of youth with disabilities through decision-makers’ meetings and TV appearances. Young people with disabilities lead awareness-building efforts in their local communities by forming support and focus groups within schools and universities. They also create interactive opportunities to raise awareness about their needs by organizing trips, tours, and other activities involving youth with disabilities.
- Developing and activating mechanisms for public accountability in both governmental and non-governmental institutions through awareness programs, public hearings, and the dissemination of information and electronic videos. Young people with disabilities take the initiative in finding solutions to their issues on both local and national levels by organizing advocacy and lobbying campaigns. The association also enhances the commitment of official Palestinian institutions to disability-related issues through annual training sessions and capacity-building meetings.
- Building the life and professional skills of young people with disabilities through awareness training and small business development programs. Additionally, the association strengthens their knowledge of legal and advocacy issues through meetings with influential individuals and experience-sharing with regional institutions. The association also fosters pioneering models of young people with disabilities in socially impactful fields through specialized entrepreneurship training and networking with regional organizations.
Partners & Activities Conducted in the Previous Year:
| Partners | Date | Activities Conducted by the Association |
|---|---|---|
| Palestinian Vision Organization, Diakonia NAD | 04/07/2019 | Developed a four-year strategic plan |
| Palestinian Vision Organization, Diakonia | 02/12/2019 | Conducted a media campaign titled “Not Just a Slip” on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd) |
| Palestinian Vision Organization, University Students, Diakonia | 14/12/2019 | Implemented a community initiative titled “We Are All Together” with university students, aiming to promote the culture of inclusion and raise awareness of disability-related issues |
| Palestinian Vision Organization, Diakonia NAD | 01/12/2019 | Rented a headquarters for the association in Ramallah/Al-Bireh at the Al-Wataniya Towers |