text: arc reported trom 27 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean region. UNICEF-assistcd training activities for village-level health workers em- phasize the need for early identifica- tion of children who are at risk of disability as well as the need to inte- grate and rehabilitate those children already disabled. In Brazil, the empha- sis has beeit on training for teachers specialized in disability prevention and early detection. In Mauritius, where about 12 per cent of children suffer from some form of mental or physical impairment, UNICEF assistance has focused on the design of a system for early identification and intervention in pre-schools, coupled with a community campaign for teacher training and the integration of disabled children in schools. In Central America, a subrcgional Programme for the prevention, early detection, and community-based treatment of childhood disabilities has brought increased government at- tention to special needs, and a grass- roots approach involving parents and low-cost technologies has developed new methodologies for providing care for disabled children. This approach has meant that disabled children arc often "mainstreamed' in the regular school system. Each country in the region also carried out a systematic situation anal- ysis related to disabled children in 1989. UNICEF has been active through the Facts for Life initiative and other advocacy measures to build positive- social and economic environments for disabled persons. Facts far Life has presented prevention and rehabilita- 22tion messages to families and com- munities in simple language to sup- port the integration of disabled per- sons into all aspects of life. One particularly positive response in 1989 came from Pakistan, where the mass media introduced vital issues concern- ing children and women into everyday current affairs, education and entertainment programming. In times of armed conflict, women and children are usually the first to
analysis: The text discusses various activities and initiatives by UNICEF in different regions to support children with disabilities, including training programs, community-based interventions, and advocacy measures. It highlights the importance of early identification, integration, and rehabilitation of disabled children, as well as the need to create positive social and economic environments for them. The text also mentions specific examples of successful programs and initiatives in different countries.