2005 press releases

Grant to the National Association for the Rights of the Disabled in Lebanon

U.S. Department of State Presents $14,500 to the National Association for the Rights of the Disabled in Lebanon

3 March 2005

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman awarded a grant for $14,500, on March 3, 2005, to the National Association for the Rights of the Disabled in Lebanon (NARD) to establish a human rights watch group to advocate for persons with disabilities in Lebanon. Through its Human Rights and Democracy Fund, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor supports programs-such as NARD-that uphold democratic principles, support and strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights, and build civil society.

In a ceremony held at the association's offices in Zarif, Ambassador Feltman noted that the U.S. Embassy's support for NARD underscores the importance that Americans accord to human rights and democracy and their belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual and his or her right to participate as a productive and accepted member of society.

The National Association for the Rights of Disabled People in Lebanon aims to create a disability human rights watch unit to collect and disseminate information, and promote awareness of disability issues. NARD's proposal includes innovative use of technology-notably a specially designed website-to carry out their aims.