The Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU) is a grass root's advocacy

Advocacy

Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...

 organization for the handicapped in Lebanon

Lebanon

Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...

 founded in 1981. Currently the organization is sponsored in its efforts to increase the accessibility of polling places for the Handicapped by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems

International Foundation for Electoral Systems

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems is an international, non-profit organization founded in 1987. This Washington, D. C.-based development organization provides assistance and support for elections in new and emerging democracies...

. LPHU found in a recent survey that less than 1% of the polling places in the country of Lebanon

Lebanon

Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...

 are fully accessible by the handicapped

Disability

A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...

.

History

A small group of disabled people in Lebanon founded LPHU in mid-1981. LPHU remained active throughout the war which surrounded the Israeli Invasion of Lebanon. They were active during the political season s leading up to the 1992, 1996, and 1998 and were even able to get 3 disabled men elected to local municipal council governments in 1998.

Support

LPHU is supported by the International community. Representatives from the organization attended the UN Conference on Women in 1995. Also, LPHU has begun working with similar organization in Yemen, and in other countries throughout the eastern Mediterranean including countries from the former Yuogslavia. Additionally, they have gained significant support in election support activities, such as polls and campaigning for polling station access, from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.