Acknowledgements

This report was written by the Inclusive Social Development Section (ISDS) of the Social Development Division (SDD) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). It was prepared by Ms. Madeleine Cravens, with substantive contributions from Ms. Angela Zettler (ISDS/SDD) and Ms. Zeina Zazar (ISDS/SDD), review and feedback from Ms. Gisela Nauk (ISDS/SDD).

It is based on qualitative interviews, field research, and a summary study carried out by the Centre for Lebanese Studies (CLS). We would like to thank Ms. Maha Shuayb, Mr. Nader Ahmad and Ms. Samira Chatila from CLS for their work.

The report also benefited from the input and review provided by focal points specializing in disability policies in ESCWA member countries.

We would like to thank peer reviewers Rizan Alkurdi, Mirna Barbar, Mohammad Ali Loufty and Gerard Quinn for their detailed review, comments and suggestions to the draft report. We would also like to thank Ms. Gretchen Luchsinger for her editing support.

The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.