In response to this situation, the Panamanian Institute for Special Education (IPHE) announced the strengthening of its facilities nationwide, starting with the construction of a new module in Arraiján, Panamá Oeste province. The new headquarters will allow for the care of a large population that currently must travel to La Chorrera, where the only IPHE branch in the province operates. The lack of adequate infrastructure continues to be one of the main challenges in the comprehensive care of people with disabilities in Panama. This center will offer services such as special education, early stimulation, counseling, biomotor rehabilitation, and therapeutic support, among others. The general director of IPHE, Karelia Sánchez, explained that the objective is to bring the institution closer to communities, reduce access barriers, and improve the quality of care for people with disabilities. As part of the modernization plan, the entity will also equip the José “Porky” Ruiz Gymnasium and adapt classrooms in more than 400 educational centers where IPHE is present, incorporating technologies and methodologies aligned with 21st-century demands. Sánchez reiterated that the institutional goal for 2026 is to transform the teaching-learning process, strengthening teacher training, educational research, and technical training, with a view to achieving effective labor insertion for students. “If we strengthen this line, we will have better-prepared teachers to attend to the specific needs of students who seek support at IPHE,” stated the official in an interview with Panamá América. Upon entering the institution, people with disabilities receive care from a multidisciplinary team composed of psychologists, social workers, speech therapists, and physical rehabilitation specialists, who adapt the services to each case. Once they complete their schooling, students access intermediate technical training, such as gastronomy and hospitality, and subsequently participate in internship programs, facilitating their social integration and demonstrating their abilities in the business environment. “Disability is not a limitation for learning, integrating into society, or entering the labor market,” Sánchez emphasized. Statistics on disability in Panama According to the National Disability Survey (ENDIS-2), published last November, one in six Panamanians lives with some form of disability, representing more than 781,000 people. The areas with the highest incidence are the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca, Herrera, Guna Yala, Panamá Oeste, Coclé, Panamá, and Colón. The study also reveals that many diagnoses are made late and that from the age of 50, the chances of developing some condition increase.
