When Ajla graduated from year three in a general primary school, she had to change to a special school, even though she did not want to. Ajla is now fighting for people with disabilities to receive inclusive education that is of a high quality and does not limit their future prospects.
Ajla Husejinović is a 28 year old guy living in Sarajevo. She is a trained bookbinder but is currently having a hard time finding a job. Her level of education and disability meant that her career choices were limited.
-My CP injury makes it difficult for me to cope with several of the professions that match my level of education, the only thing that has worked is my work as a bookbinder, says Ajla.
Ayla's education was never adapted to her needs
Ayla's first three school years were at a primary school that was not adapted to her needs. Without a ramp and handrails, Ajla had a hard time getting around, and it happened that she fell and hurt herself. With the help of the family, she was able to get to school and her twin sister helped as best she could once they were there.
The teachers at Ayla's primary school lacked the skills and knowledge needed to give her an inclusive education that worked for her. As Ajla has both visual impairment and hearing impairment, it was often difficult for her to understand everything in the lessons and when her sister tried to help her, they were separated as the teacher thought that their talk disturbed the rest of the class. But Ajla had several other classmates who did their best to help her instead.
From year four until the end of high school, Ajla was allowed to go to a special school for children with disabilities, but she wishes she had been allowed to go to a public school and received help from an assistant instead. Ajla knows that the education in a public school would have been more difficult, but she believes that if she had done well with the right support.
-I think I would have learned more if I had not been forced to switch to a special school where the education was very simple, she says.
It was difficult for Ajla to adapt to the special school's education program, which was very different from the general compulsory school. What was positive was that the teachers really took the time to help Ajla and make sure that she learned what she was supposed to.
Ajla hopes and believes that the situation has improved since she herself went to school.
-Then inclusive education received no attention, today it is easier to achieve change through the media and personal stories, says Ajla.
Since Ajla left school, she has been involved in adapting books and other school materials so that children with disabilities can receive available teaching materials during their schooling.
The university can give Ajla a second chance
To succeed in finding a new career, Ajla wants to further her education at the university. She loves people and would like to have a social work where she gets to meet a lot of people. Her plan is to apply for the political science program with social work as a focus.
Once Ajla starts at the university, she expects to get an assistant and that the school is accessible. She hopes that the other students will be kind and understand that she has some difficulties, but that she manages with the right support. She is also not afraid of having to draw the teachers' attention to the fact that they need to adapt the teaching to her needs.
-I am not ashamed to tell about my disability and demand the support I need, that is, to ask for my rights, says Ajla.
Ajla is optimistic about her future and hopes that a university degree can help her get more career choices. After graduation, Ajla believes that she could get a job in the association Oaza, which she is involved in.
Ajla wants to arouse the commitment of other people who live with a disability
Ayla's goal is to arouse the commitment of as many people living with disabilities as possible, so that more people can see what opportunities they have. She encourages more people to join associations to create engagement with others.
-Together we become stronger and can achieve all our goals, says Ajla.
Ajla says that some people with disabilities have difficulty getting involved as they suffer from the stigma that exists around disabilities in society, they feel ashamed and are afraid of facing great resistance. But she still urges to dare to speak out and stand up for their rights. Ajla believes that it is through joint commitment that one can achieve something and create conditions for exercising one's rights.
-Say what you think, get involved in your interests and fight for your rights. You choose your own path and the association gives you the right conditions for your personal journey, says Ajla encouragingly.
Open the Classrooms - for all children's right to education
Education is one of the most important factors in being able to get out of poverty. It is fundamental for a person's opportunities to get a job, to be able to support themselves and to participate in the development of society.
Children who do not go to school have much worse conditions in the labor market and are at a much higher risk of falling into poverty. Few children with disabilities start school, according to the UN, it is one in three children with disabilities who do not go to primary school, it can be compared with one in seven children who do not have a disability. Those who then continue their studies in upper secondary school and upper secondary school are even fewer.
