U.S. Representatives visit Autistic Children's School in La Marsa
The Association for the Protection of Autistic Children (APPAI) was created in 1987 by a group of parents determined to address the special education needs of their children. As with many associations for the disabled in Tunisia, the work of APPAI’s devoted parents have served to sensitize the Ministry of Social Affairs and its Institute for the Promotion of the Handicapped to the challenges of education and social integration for the autistic. The association operates two education centers, one in Manouba and one in La Marsa. The objective of the centers is to provide psychological, medical and social support to autistic youth based on individualized programs that take into account the special needs of each child. Since its creation, APPAI has faced two major challenges-obtaining well adapted training for its special educators and adequate infrastructure for appropriate implementation of its educational programs.
To help APPAI meet these challenges, in the spring of 2006, the United States and French embassies in Tunisia worked together to launch a joint infrastructure and training project with APPAI. The DoD Humanitarian Assistance Program (HA) contributed $135,000 to build one floor of a new educational facility and vocational training workshops. Costs of architectural and engineering services were also funded under the HA program. The French technical cooperation institute granted the association an additional $100,000 to build another floor for the school and provided $45,000 through Handicap International for training of APPAI’s special educators.
Construction of the new center was completed in spring 2008. The center includes classrooms, workshops, medical/infirmary facilities, kitchen and cafeteria facilities, a physical therapy room and administrative space. Two 40 ft. containers of HA excess property were ordered through the Africa Command HA office and were delivered to the school in October 2008. Items received include furniture for the classrooms and administration, kitchen and cafeteria equipment and utensils, sports and exercise equipment etc.