The Centre for Lebanese Studies at the Lebanese American University in partnership with Oxford Brookes University- Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) organised a brainstorming session on Wednesday September 12, 2018 to establish a Hub on disability related issues in the MENA region- an initiative established by the above partners.

The main objective of the hub is to establish a research and advocacy group to advance the field of disability in the middle east/MENA. More specifically it aims to achieve the following:

1. Contribute to knowledge production on disability studies in the region through research.
2. Create a knowledge hub on disability issues to rethink existing approaches to inclusivity, participation and representation.
3. Analyse the discourses, practice, and policy on disability
4. Offer a strong informed voice that can inform the disability agenda in the region

The above objectives will be addressed in different dimensions relating to disability such as human rights, ethics, social and physical environment, including attitudinal barriers, participation (political, economic, social, educational etc.), intersectionality, health, diverse communication and media. Although the hub is focused on MENA, the scope of its work will be initially limited to Lebanon.