NGO distributes wheelchairs to students with disabilities across Kurdistan Region, Iraq

HALABJA — As part of an initiative to support students with disabilities and address transportation challenges, the NGO Baraw Zhyaneki Nwe (Towards a New Life) has distributed 50 electric and custom wheelchairs to special needs students across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

The academic year in the Kurdistan Region begins on Sept. 25, while schools in the rest of Iraq started today.

Sarko Halabjayi, head of the Halabja-based organisation, told 964media that some of the wheelchairs are specifically designed for children with neurological conditions. “The prices of the wheelchairs range from $700 to $2,700,” he said.

“For the first time, children from all parts of Kurdistan and some areas of Iraq have received these wheelchairs,” Halabjayi added.

Founded in 2008, Towards a New Life focuses on supporting children with special needs and has provided nearly 28,000 wheelchairs since its inception.

Additionally, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Education announced that, starting this year, children with special needs will be enrolled in public schools and kindergartens. Officials say this aims to promote inclusion, ensuring that special needs students are fully integrated into classrooms alongside their peers.