Redefining Disability in Iran through Entertainment Education

Inclusion begins with awareness. In my country, Iran, the social attitudes and perspectives about disability are very different from those in western countries. I became aware of this when I stepped out of my country and spent the past five years in Malaysia and Canada in pursuit of graphic design education. In Canada, I learned about inclusive design, disability rights and disability culture; I experienced a more inclusive society. I wanted to create awareness among Iranians about the disability situation in Iran to initiate a socio-cultural change in my country. Adopting an artistic approach, I employed entertainment education tools to create a documentary video about the status of children with Down syndrome in Iran. By making it available on the Internet to Iranians in and outside of Iran, as well as to the rest of the world, I hope to help raise public awareness about disability to create conditions that could lead to a more inclusive society