GAT: Vision
The GAT Center promotes full participation and inclusion for children and young adults with disabilities.
GAT: Mission
The GAT Center provides assistive technology, training, and support services. Equipping professionals and mothers with the right tools ensures these children and young adults receive the support they need to participate fully.
GAT: Main activities
The GAT Center opened the Inclusive Early Childhood Development and Care Center, which provides essential care and development programs for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, helping them build motor, communication, and social skills. Seventeen children aged 3 to 10 attend regularly, benefiting from the support of physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The centre also fosters inclusivity by welcoming children without disabilities, encouraging joint learning and play, and preparing children to transition to regular schools. In addition to supporting children, the centre empowers parents, particularly single mothers, by offering respite and the opportunity to work while connecting them with others in similar situations.
University of Gondar: Vision
The University of Gondar (UoG) Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme, established in 2005, stands as Ethiopia’s sole university-led CBR initiative, showcasing UoG’s commitment to disability inclusion. As the first medical training institution in Ethiopia (founded in 1954), the programme supports individuals with disabilities across various Woredas in the North Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region.
The programme serves beneficiaries across multiple Woredas, transforming lives by enhancing access to services for children with disabilities and their families. Led by Professor Solomon Mekonnen and a dedicated team of 26, the initiative combines academic knowledge with grassroots actions. Its vision includes expanding beyond North Gondar, enhancing research, and setting a global standard for CBR in low-resource settings.
University of Gondar: Programme Overview
Under Professor Solomon Mekonnen’s leadership, the UoG CBR Programme follows the World Health Organization’s CBR framework to promote inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Operating in Woredas such as Gondar Town, Debark, and Dabat, the programme addresses the rehabilitation service gaps affecting an estimated 17% of the region’s population living with disabilities. Launched with support from partners like Light for the World and Save the Children International, it builds on UoG’s Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, introduced in 2002. The program aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by:
- Providing accessible rehabilitation through home-based care and community outreach.
- Raising awareness of disability rights and combatting stigma.
- Facilitating referrals for specialized medical and orthopedic care.
- Empowering individuals and their families to enhance social and economic inclusion.
University of Gondar: Main Activities
Managed by the Community Service Directorate, the programme employs 26 staff members to deliver impactful services, including:
- Home-Based Rehabilitation: Field workers offer rehabilitation, sign language training, and daily living support at clients’ homes.
- Awareness Creation: Initiatives such as disability school clubs and community events promote inclusion.
- Referral Services: Clients are connected to advanced care at the University of Gondar Hospital.
- Training and Capacity Building: The programme develops skills among community members and staff for sustainable impact.
Partnerships and Expansion
The UoG CBR Programme thrives on collaborations, notably with the Enablement Foundation, to amplify outreach in remote areas. As Ethiopia’s only university with a CBR programme, UoG positions itself as a regional leader in disability-inclusive education and rehabilitation.
For more information, contact the University of Gondar at: P.O. Box: 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
Phone: +251 58 114 1232 / +251 58 811 9013
Email: info@uog.edu.et
