Our Story: A Personal Journey Towards Inclusion
The Special Needs Education Research and Innovation Centre (SNERIC) was founded
on the belief that every child, regardless of ability, deserves access to quality
education and rehabilitation services and a deep commitment to bridging the gap
between policy and practice in inclusive education and rehabilitation services in
Uganda. Its origins trace back to a deeply personal journey of a mother and father
(the Lubanga’s) advocating for their deaf daughter’s right to learn, communicate,
and thrive using a cochlear implant.
This lived experience revealed the critical gaps in early identification, intervention,
and access to rehabilitative, assistive, and restorative technologies for children with
disabilities, particularly those in underserved communities and the importance of
early intervention, family empowerment, and inclusive education. Recognizing the
gaps in support systems, particularly in rural, semi-urban and urban areas, fuelled
the drive to establish SNERIC, a space where research, advocacy, and practical
solutions could converge.
What started as an individual advocacy effort grew into a movement, bringing
together like-minded professionals, researchers, parents, and educators who shared
a vision: to create a center that not only supports children with disabilities but also
empowers those responsible for their education and re/habilitation, paving the way
for inclusive education in Uganda and beyond.