Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union

The Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU) is an advocacy organization for the disabled in Lebanon founded in 1981.^[1] Currently the organization is sponsored in its efforts to increase the accessibility of polling places for the disabled by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.^[2] LPHU found in a recent survey that less than 1% of the polling places in the country of Lebanon are fully accessible by the disabled.^[2]

Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union (LPHU)
اتحاد المقعديين اللبنانيين

Founded	1981
Type	Non-profit
Location	Lebanon
Area served	Lebanon
Key people	Sylvana Lakkis (President)
Website	http://www.lphu.com

History

A small group of disabled people in Lebanon founded LPHU in mid-1981.^[3] LPHU remained active throughout the war which surrounded the Israeli Invasion of Lebanon.^[3] They were active during the political seasons 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.^[3]

Support

LPHU is supported by the International community.^[3] Representatives from the organization attended the UN Conference on Women in 1995.^[3] Also, LPHU has begun working with similar organization in Yemen, and in other countries throughout the eastern Mediterranean including countries from the former Yugoslavia.^[3] 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.^[2]