. Students of the  Deaf Unit at Drugyel Lower Secondary School in Par0.  Special needs students from Changangkha Lower Secondary School enjoy basketball as part of their physical exercise at the Nazhoen Pelri Youth Development Centre in Thimphu.

The Bhutan Youth Development Fund supports many initiatives for special needs youth across Bhutan. In Bhutan, there are very few programs for physically and mentally challenged youth. The Bhutan YDF is partnering with the Ministry of Education to mainstream mentally and physically handicapped youth in schools.

The overall objective of the program is to enhance education oportunities for children and youth with special needs so that they are empowered to live fulfilling lives. YDF wants to enhance awareness among the general populace on special education and provide human resource development opportunities to the various service providers. YDF has been successfully raising public awareness for special needs education through forurms such as parenting education, NFE centers, in-service workshops and parent teacher association. Many challenges such as shortage of special need teachers, resource constraints and inadequate policy guidelines impede the development of special education. YDFworks to address gaps!