Disabled access: Building for all

Roula Helou was four when a car accident made her paraplegic, forcing her into a wheelchair. Back then it looked as if she would have little chance of accessing the same opportunities as other children without physical disabilities, but 33 years on, she is the popular presenter of Ma Mnekhtelif (We Don’t Disagree), a TV program on OTV, has published a book of poetry and holds a degree in Arabic language and literature from the Lebanese University. Of the 10 to 15 percent of the Lebanese population living with disability, only 17 percent are employed, of which Helou is one. Based on statistics from the social affair’s ministry, nearly 86,000 citizens are currently registered as disabled, although this figure does not take into account those who did not apply for government support owing to  lack of awareness or stigma. “I represent a success story,” Helou admits. “But I have a