Second Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) on Issue Identification on Education and Access to Technology for Girls at the Local Level

24th, 30th April and 16th May 2023

Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj and Bhaktapur, Nepal

Access Planet Organization in support of the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) organized the second Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) on the topic- “Issue identification on education and access to technology for girls and young women with disabilities at the local level.” The discussions were conducted to identify the issues of female students with disabilities through the FGDs regarding the issues and challenges that they face in accessing quality education and access to assistive technology. 10 participants each representing OPDs, parents, school teachers, and administrative personnel in the Kailali, Banke, and Bhaktapur districts were present at the discussion. Thus, the Advocacy Committee of Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, and Kathmandu led the second FGDs as a part of their action plan.

Objectives:

The main objectives of the discussions are as follows:

1. To identify the existing issues of the students with disabilities by having a focused group discussions.
2. To document the issues for preparing the advocacy manifesto for conducting advocacy at the local levels.

The representatives of Access Planet, began the FGDs by welcoming the participants to the event. They explained about Access Planet and some of its details to all the participants. They then led the participants to introduce themselves along with pointing out the agendas and format of the discussion. They then moderated the discussions by asking the set of questions based on the following topics to the participants accompanied by other teammates:

A) School policy and management

B) Physical Infrastructure

C) Quality of Education

D) Specific education issues for girls and adolescents with disabilities

E) Status of participation in the decision-making process

Output:

The primary outputs of the discussion are listed in points as follows:

1. The existing issues of the students with disabilities relating to the teachers and parents were identified by having a focused group discussions.
2. The issues were documented to prepare the advocacy manifesto.