Terms of Reference - Consultant: Study on Engagement of Parents in Inclusive Education and Empowerment of Children with Disabilities in Nepal

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) is a non-political, non-religious, not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) established by blind and partially sighted (BPS) youth in Nepal. It was founded in 2011, registered with the District Administration Office in Kathmandu in 2012, and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council of Nepal. It is the only organization established by BPS youth in Nepal. Currently, BYAN has more than 500 members, organized into 10 district chapters located in Jhapa, Morang, Bara, Kathmandu, Chitwan, Kaski, Rupandehi, Banke, Surkhet, and Kailali districts. Memberships and chapter expansion are ongoing. As a rights-based organization, BYAN intends to play a proactive role in formulating, amending, and implementing legal provisions related to youths with disabilities. It also focuses on organizing and capacity-building of youths with disabilities across the country. BYAN has strong networking and cooperation with different government and non-government stakeholders working in various domains of disability. Additionally, BYAN is a member of the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFDN), which serves as the umbrella organization for organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in the country.

Consultant: Study on Engagement of Parents in Inclusive Education and Empowerment of Children with Disabilities in Nepal

Organization

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN)

Nepal has made significant commitments to promote the rights and inclusion of children with disabilities through constitutional provisions, the Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2017, the Compulsory and Free Education Act, 2018, the Inclusive Education Policy, and its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, children with disabilities continue to face multiple barriers to accessing quality, inclusive and equitable education and to fully participating in family, school and community life.

Parents and caregivers are key actors in the education, development, protection and empowerment of children with disabilities. Their engagement can influence school enrollment, attendance, learning, participation in school activities, access to support services, transition to further education and employment, social inclusion, self-confidence and participation in decision-making. Parents can also play an important role in advocating for inclusive education, engaging with schools and local governments, participating in school governance structures, and supporting the realization of the rights of children with disabilities.

However, the nature and extent of parental engagement in inclusive education vary considerably. Many parents face barriers including limited information about disability rights and education opportunities, stigma and discrimination, financial constraints, limited access to support services, inaccessible schools and learning environments, lack of reasonable accommodation, and limited opportunities to participate in school and education-related decision-making. At the same time, parents, schools, communities and local governments have developed different approaches and practices to support the education and empowerment of children with disabilities.

Under the Building Effective Network (BEN) programme, Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) intends to conduct a study in Bagmati and Karnali Provinces to understand how parents of children with disabilities are currently engaged in their children's education and empowerment, the factors that enable or constrain such engagement, and promising practices that can be strengthened and replicated. The study will generate evidence to inform future programming, capacity strengthening, advocacy and the development of practical strategies for meaningful parental engagement in inclusive education.

Interested individual consultants or consulting firms/teams should submit the following documents to [email protected] by 31 July 2026:

Note: The TOR is subject to revision/change based on discussion and mutual agreement with the selected consultant/consulting firm. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for further selection processes, including interview/presentation if required.

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