Mind the gap: the human rights of children with intellectual disabilities in Egypt

Background Children with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have the same human value as other children and are entitled to their basic human rights. And yet, in developing countries they face many barriers to accessing these rights. This study focuses on children with IDs in Egypt. Method A new measure, the Human Rights of children with Intellectual Disabilities-Egypt, was developed to assess (1) awareness of the human rights of children with IDs and (2) perceptions of the extent to which children with IDs currently have access to these rights. Results The questionnaire was completed by 200 respondents across Egypt. Of great concern, there was a widespread lack of awareness of the rights of children with IDs. Moreover, respondents reported that they believed that this group of children had limited access to health care and treatment, including mental health care, social care, education and rehabilitation. Conclusion While the sample size was small, the findings identify the urgency in Egypt of (1) raising public awareness of the human rights of children with IDs, and (2) implementing and sustaining changes to improve access to these rights. The new government is responsible for ensuring that its apparent commitment to human rights is now translated into effective action to make tangible improvements in the lives of children with IDs and their families.