PESHAWAR; The British Council, in collaboration with the EU-funded TVET Sector Support Programme, organized a consultative workshop in Peshawar aimed at promoting disability inclusion across education, skills training, and entrepreneurship. The event, held at Serena Hotel, was titled “Disability Inclusion – Experience Sharing and Learning Workshop” and brought together a wide range of stakeholders committed to advancing opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Participants engaged in open dialogue and exchanged ideas on how to build disability-inclusive Centres of Excellence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan. The discussions also focused on addressing accessibility gaps in classrooms and workplaces, as well as increasing the participation of persons with disabilities in Pakistan’s growing digital and technology-driven sectors.
Speaking at the workshop, Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director of the British Council Pakistan, emphasized that inclusion must be seen as central to building a stronger society. “Inclusion is not an add-on—it is the foundation of a stronger, fairer society. By bringing voices together, we are building solutions that ensure persons with disabilities have equal access to education and skills. This is how we unlock potential and drive progress for everyone,” she said.
The event was attended by representatives of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), NGOs, special education institutions, technology firms, incubation hubs, and partner institutions of the EU TVET programme, including IMSciences, KIU, GVTTI Haripur, GCT D.I Khan, and GPI Skardu. Their contributions led to a set of recommendations aimed at shaping inclusive Centres of Excellence and creating stronger pathways for PWDs to participate in Pakistan’s digital economy.
Organizers described the workshop as part of a broader effort to ensure that Pakistan’s education and skills systems serve all learners, regardless of ability. They said such initiatives are essential to building a fairer and more inclusive future for the country.