Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union
The Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU) is an advocacy organization for the disabled in Lebanon founded in 1981.[1] Currently the organization is sponsored in its efforts to increase the accessibility of polling places for the disabled by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.[2] LPHU found in a recent survey that less than 1% of the polling places in the country of Lebanon are fully accessible by the disabled.[2]
 | |
| Founded | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Location | |
Area served | Lebanon |
Key people | Sylvana Lakkis (President) |
| Website | http://www.lphu.com |
History
A small group of disabled people in Lebanon founded LPHU in mid-1981.[3] LPHU remained active throughout the war which surrounded the Israeli Invasion of Lebanon.[3] They were active during the political seasons leading up to the 1992, 1996, and 1998 and were even able to get 3 disabled men elected to local municipal council governments in 1998.[3]
Support
LPHU is supported by the International community.[3] Representatives from the organization attended the UN Conference on Women in 1995.[3] Also, LPHU has begun working with similar organization in Yemen, and in other countries throughout the eastern Mediterranean including countries from the former Yugoslavia.[3] Additionally, they have gained significant support in election support activities, such as polls and campaigning for polling station access, from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.[2]
References
- LPHU Summary, LPHU. Accessed August 5, 2009.
- Lee, Hayeon.With dignity and independence: Lebanese with disabilities push for their right to vote this June Archived 2009-05-27 at the Wayback Machine. NOW Lebanon. May 24, 2009. Accessed June 03, 2009.
- Abou-Habib, Lina (March 1999). "Advocacy around Disability in the Midst of War: The Lebanon". Humanitarian Exchange Magazine (13). Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2009-08-06.