The Panamanian Institute for Special Education and Rehabilitation (IPHE) is driving the modernization of the special education system and labor insertion. The institution implements the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in over 400 educational centers, benefiting a total enrollment of more than 18,139 students. To support this structure, 1,191 special education teachers have been trained, who work alongside regular teachers to ensure quality standards. At the end of the school cycle, IPHE offers support through the Rehabilitation Counseling Department. Other pillars of the plan include early childhood care, adapted sports, and nutritional education programs. IPHE's general director, Magíster Karelia Sánchez Mundo, stated that the main mission is to consolidate an inclusive, equitable, and quality education system, prioritizing technical presence in regions affected by multidimensional poverty and simplifying administrative processes to benefit the educational community. Currently, IPHE executes a wide range of programs, including Early Education and Stimulation, Family Orientation, Basic Education, and Intermediate Technical Careers (CTI). The institution will also equip centers with technological equipment to reduce the digital divide and promote technical-pedagogical research. IPHE reiterates that with the appropriate technical support and continuous teacher training, people with disabilities can fully participate as citizens with high potential for Panamanian society. Integration into the regular educational system is carried out in close coordination with the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA).
