The Concept of People with Special Needs from the Theoretical and Legislative Sides in the Algerian Milieu

Abstract

The concept of handicap hadn’t changed radically over the twenty past years. It was seen as a lasting tare be it a mental or a physical handicap which make this category of people different from the others. However, today it is clearly distinguished between tare and disability from one side and between handicaps from another side which are not restricted only to living or learning difficulties, but also to the circumstances and the situations where the individuals live. Therefore, handicap today is related to the requirements and the conditions. In this new concept, it is considered that the handicapped are not different from the others; instead, they are normal individuals who have special needs. Thus, in this article, we will try to illustrate the concept of handicap and special needs, their classifications, the reasons behind the incidence of this phenomenon in our societies, its proportion, and the ways of protection. In addition to that, we will tackle the concept of special needs in Algeria from the legislative side and the efforts of the government to protect and to take care of those people with special needs.