CONFERENCE ON “QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH SEVERE AND MULTIPLE DISABILITIES” CONCLUDED
The participants in the virtual international conference “Quality of Life for Persons with Severe and Multiple Disabilities” organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services on March 8 and 9, 2022 in cooperation with the Hashemite University of Jordan concluded with a set of recommendations. They began by quoting from the speech of Her Excellency Sheikha Jamila bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), in which she said, "This conference represents a turning point in the Arab region and the world at large in serving people with severe and multiple disabilities."
Among the most important recommendations of the conference are the design and development of standards and tools for evaluating the quality of educational programs for students with severe and multiple disabilities from early childhood through young adulthood and using appropriate assessment methods and evidence-based teaching strategies within the transdisciplinary team. In addition to providing health, rehabilitation and social services for people with severe and multiple disabilities, and finding alternative services and solutions in times of crisis. Another one is showing interest in providing training, counseling and psychological programs for the family to improve the quality of life for people with severe and multiple disabilities of different ages.
Conference's recommendations also include emphasizing the role of civil society institutions in developing professional practices and providing support to families through innovative methods and programs. Expand the use and development of assistive technologies through research studies and training of specialists, families and people with severe and multiple disabilities to use them. Openness to new approaches and methods in the rehabilitation of students with severe and multiple disabilities, such as self-determination skills, music therapy techniques, and other approaches based on scientific evidence. In addition to increasing attention to the importance of therapeutic recreational activities for this group, training special education teachers on preparing teaching programs and taking all measures to keep people with severe and multiple disabilities outside residential institutions. Developing public policies that guarantee the quality of their lives and their rights to self-determination and freedom of choice. Protect them from all forms of abuse. Enhancing meetings and conferences to exchange experiences and modern professional practices in the field of people with severe and multiple disabilities.
Empowerment and family counseling
Ms. Mona Hajouni, a Senior Social Worker at the city's Early Intervention Center, presented the activities of the second day of the conference. The session continued with the papers of the fourth theme, "Empowerment and Family Counseling", which Dr. Sohair Abdel Hafeez, A Coordinator in Empowering Deaf, Hard of Hearing and People with Disabilities "Hearing and Visual" and a Freelance Consultant in the Field of Special Education, chaired.
Khadija Omar Zeidan, a dental student at the University of Sharjah and Chair of the Brotherhood Council for a Disabled Person at Al-Wafa School for Capacity Development spoke in the following session. She presented her experience with her brother Omar, who is an affiliate of the city. Dr. Ahmed Saeed Abdel Aziz, Associate Professor at Taibah University in Saudi Arabia, also talked about the effectiveness of a training program based on psychological well-being in reducing mental wandering and endurance of distress among mothers of children with multiple disabilities.
Dr. Ahmed confirmed that the aim of the working paper is to identify the effectiveness of a training program based on psychological well-being in reducing mental wandering and enduring distress among mothers of children with multiple disabilities. It also aims to disclose the continuity of the impact of the program.
After that, Dr. Rawhi Marouh Ahmed Abdat, an Educational Psychologist at the Ministry of Community Development in the United Arab Emirates, presented a working paper entitled "Families of Persons with Severe Disabilities, Psychological Stress and Counseling and Training Needs." severe stress, and the repercussions of these pressures on their social life and family relationships. An example of this is the relationship between parents, and between parents and their children. The relationship of the family with society and the surrounding environment. He also discussed families’ response to such pressures positively or negatively.
The work of the fourth theme continued with a working paper entitled "The Conflict of Roles for Mothers of Children with Severe Disabilities in the Sultanate of Oman". Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Odeh Al-Fawair, Associate Professor at the University of Nizwa in the Sultanate of Oman, a Social Worker at the University, Amira Bint Suleiman the Canadian, and Intisar Rashid Abdullah Al-Kalbani, who has a master's degree in Psychological Counseling and Guidance, presented this paper.
The theoretical significance of the paper lies in the topic studied, the sample used and the provision of support and information that would help and support families of people with multiple disabilities. It also provides scientific advantage and contributes to enriching the theoretical side and collecting information for researchers and those interested in the field of scientific research. The Arab studies are few, especially those that deal with the variables of the study (as far as researchers now). It opens the way to study other topics related to the study variables to enrich the Arabic and Omani library. In addition to providing seminars and courses in rehabilitation centers for mothers of children with disabilities on methods of dealing with children and preparing mothers psychologically.
Experiences and expertise
Eng. Nabil Mustafa Eid, Chief Development Officer for the "Billion Strong" Organization in the United States, headed the fifth theme sessions, "Experiences and Expertise". Professors Nima and Raya Banat Rashid Al Hashimiya from the Sultanate of Oman presented their experience with hearing and visual disabilities. Ms. Ahlam bint Ali Nasser Al-Hinaiah from the Omani Committee for Sports of the Deaf did the sign language translation.
After that, Dr. Amal Ezzat Ali Bakr, the Psychological and Educational Consultant, the Speech Therapist, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hope City Foundation in the Arab Republic of Egypt spoke about the use of the integrated approach to improve the quality of education for students with multiple disabilities, "The Experience of Hope City in Egypt". Her study aimed to present the institution's experience in using the integrated approach to improve the quality of education for students with multiple disabilities. Dr. Amal Ezzat used the descriptive analytical method to describe the experience of the Hope City Foundation. The quality aspects of the integrated approach helped to improve the quality of students' education.
Within the same theme, Professor Amy Tango Lemkitake, Assistant Director of Programs for Asia and the Pacific at the Perkins Foundation in the United States of America, presented a working paper entitled "How parents of children with multiple disabilities and sensory loss supported each other during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines". It aimed at answering a question about how parents of children with and without visual impairments from across the Philippines supported each other as they learned to adapt and meet the needs of their children as well as maintaining their mental health and relationships.
Dr. Aisha bint Khalifa Al Kiyumi from the Omani Committee for Deaf Sports in the Sultanate of Oman presented a working paper entitled “Preparing the School Environment for Persons with Severe Disabilities in the Light of the Russian and Swedish Experience”.
Assistive Technologies
Dr. Muhammad Ali Musa Fatiha, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Abu Dhabi University, chaired the sessions of the sixth theme, "Assistive Technologies". David Baines, Special Adviser from the United Kingdom, spoke about available and emerging technologies for people with severe and multiple disabilities. David emphasized that over the past 30 years; technology has directly reduced the barriers facing people with severe and multiple disabilities and provided ways to improve the quality of personal life.
Also in the sixth theme sessions, Dr. Kholoud Adeeb Al-Dababneh, Professor of Special Education at the Hashemite University, and Dr. Iman Al-Zubeel presented a working paper entitled "Using Assistive Technology in Teaching Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities in Jordan". Its aim was to reveal the extent to which teachers accept the use of assistive technology in teaching students with severe and multiple disabilities within special education centers in the capital, Amman.
Ms. Rabab Abdel Wahab, Head of the Assistive Technology Center in Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, spoke about the city's role in providing assistive technology services to people with severe and multiple disabilities. The city has taken a leading role in providing specialized services for people with disabilities since its establishment. Based on the city's vision, the role of the Assistive Technology Center came to provide specialized services by following the latest international practices in the field of assistive technology and accessibility.
The presented paper reviewed the model of providing services for people with severe and multiple disabilities and its role in facilitating and improving the quality of their lives and the lives of their families in all areas of daily life activities including education, health, rehabilitation services, movement and mobility, and entertainment. The paper also talked about indirect services such as facilities, partnerships, awareness programs and their role in education and support.
Assistive Technologies Exhibition
For the second day, the activities of the Assistive Technologies Exhibition, which City's Assistive Technologies Center organized at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, continued. It aims at displaying and raising awareness of the latest assistive technologies in the market. In addition to reaching the largest number of beneficiaries to support the independence of persons with disabilities in practicing daily life activities, raising the level of skills, and supporting community participation.
Today, the exhibition witnessed the visit of His Excellency Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park. He learned about participating companies and devices that facilitate the lives of people with severe and multiple disabilities. A number of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services students attended the exhibition, where they tried and used the modern equipment offered by various companies.
Controversial issues and contemporary trends
Dr. Muhammad Al-Zeyoudi, Dean of the College of Education at the American University in the Emirates, chaired the sessions of the seventh theme, "Controversial issues and contemporary trends". Dr. Toby Long from Georgetown University, USA, spoke about contemporary trends in the field of severe and multiple disabilities. She spoke about the types of assistive devices needed to promote early movement of young children with multiple severe disabilities.
Dr. Karen Kelly, Associate Professor at the University of Cologne, Germany, and Professor Timo Dennis, Assistant Researcher, presented a working paper entitled, Communication in Crisis, “A research project conducted on people with severe and multiple disabilities during the Corona pandemic.”
Dr. Turki Abdullah Al-Qarini from King Saud University in Saudi Arabia spoke about the self-determination skills of individuals with multiple and severe disabilities. He defined the concept of self-determination skills for students with multiple and severe disabilities, their importance to them, the most important dimensions that professionals can focus on in presenting these skills and their models, methods of evaluating and planning them, and their relationship to transitional programs and services.
Ms. Sanaa Mahmoud Mohamed Abadi, an Occupational Therapist at Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, presented, within the same theme, a working paper on the role of occupational therapy with severe disabilities within the transdisciplinary team in the early intervention stage. It aimed to highlight the effectiveness of teamwork in the field of developing abilities and skills, among children with severe disabilities, from birth until the age of three years. She spoke about the importance of occupational therapy with children from three to five years old.
Workshops
After a short break, Ms. Ghada Kamed, Head of Persons with Multiple Disabilities and Severe Intellectual Disabilities Unit, Approach Integration Coordinator and Trainer at the Continuing Training Center within the Lebanese Sizobel Foundation, presented a workshop on BASAL STIMULATION in Institutions, for a comprehensive and different accompaniment.
Ghada emphasized that the Basal Stimulation approach is a comprehensive approach that aims to help persons with additional disabilities of all ages maintain, enhance and develop their abilities and skills.
It also aims to help them harmonize with themselves and their surroundings. This approach depend on philosophical, scientific, educational, cultural and social elements. It also takes into account the four basic dimensions of human development: the perceptual, the motor, the sensory, and the relational dimension.
Dr. Toby Long, Professor at Georgetown University in the United States of America, ran a workshop on early intervention for children with severe and multiple disabilities. She provided information on contemporary programming for children with severe and multiple disabilities including tools used to gather information about functional status, the importance of assistive technology, early mobility, and transition into adulthood.
Then in conclusion, Prof. Hyun Joo-cheong, Dr. Gaeul Yoo and Ms. Jeon Park from Iowa Women's University in South Korea presented the Music Therapy Workshop "Rehabilitation of Multiple Disabilities resulting from severe accidents, brain injury or stroke".