ONE STEP CLOSER SUMMIT 2ND DAY
On Saturday, September 28, 2019, the activities of Self-Advocates Summit, which Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) and Inclusion International for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are organizing for the first time in UAE under the title (One Step Closer), continued for the second day. SCHS is organizing this summit, which is taking place in the Act Hotel Sharjah, with participation of 14 self-advocates accompanied by their supporters and nine mothers. It will last until 1 October.
The self-advocate Sheikha Al Qasimi, Representative of Inclusion International for Middle East and North Africa, and self-advocate Salma Kanaan from Egypt who is a member in the Board of Directors of Inclusion International, supervised the training in the second day. The training included a set of practical exercises and discussions on the rights of persons with disabilities and the concept of self-advocacy.
The two self-advocates (Sheikha and Salma) have shown the common qualities not only between persons with disabilities but among people in general in the practical exercises. They talked about the importance of raising awareness of these qualities and common talents as well as elaborating on them to achieve equality and progress in society.
Today's program included an explanation of the rights of persons with disabilities by publicizing the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which UN adopted on December 13, 2013. Several organizations signed the convention and self-advocates co-edited it afterwards.
The 14 self-advocates participating in the program had a detailed discussion on the rights of persons with disabilities and the need to respect them. They think that the most important of these rights are education, employment, freedom of expression, and health care.
Self-advocates sent a clear message to all people. It is “Respecting the rights of persons with disabilities represents a respect for the entire society”. It shows sincere intent to contribute to its advancement.
As part of the training program, participants discussed Article 3 of (UNCRPD). The Article discusses the content of the convention and how to treat persons with disabilities well. Among the most important principles that self-advocates discussed were freedom of choice, equality, inclusion, respect and accessibility.
Self-advocates emphasized the principle of independence, demanding their rights and expressing themselves in forums and events.
Notably, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services has been taking important steps in this direction from the very beginning such as meeting the wishes of students with disabilities to form their own councils and conducting visits to official bodies and active community figures to demand persons with disabilities rights.
SCHS has been always keen to raise families of persons with disabilities faith in their disabled children abilities by motivating parents to train their children on expressing themselves freely. They must avoid the enforcement of a certain way of life or impose their custody as much as possible so that persons with disabilities can change the negative stereotype about persons with disabilities and show their real talents.
The self-advocate Enas Mustafa praised the content of the summit in terms of information and human rights. She praised the well organization of all the details of the program. She confirmed that the trip in which all self-advocates took yesterday to Sharjah Aquarium and to Al Qasba Channel was very fun.
For his part, the self-advocate Mohammed Ghareeb was very proud to participate in (One Step Closer) Summit because it is the first of its kind in the UAE. The summit contains valuable content in its agenda training and recreational programs.
The recreational program of self-advocates and supporters began on Friday afternoon with a useful and enjoyable trip to Sharjah Aquarium then a cruise in Al Qasba Channel, which is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Sharjah.
The recreational program of self-advocates and mothers will continue this afternoon with a trip to Dubai to enjoy Burj Khalifa, World's Tallest Building.
Self-Advocates Summit, which is taking place in the Act Hotel Sharjah, will continue until 1 October. Please join us