SCHS MARKS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
In the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), and Her Excellency Mrs. Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director General of SCHS, Al Wafa School for Capacity Development, affiliated with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, organized a seminar entitled “Towards Integrated Entertainment through Building Inclusive Environments”. This is a part of SCHS's annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration, which takes place on December 3. This year's topic is "Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress."
Speakers at the seminar were Sheikha Al Qasimi, supervisor of the Self-Advocacy Unit at SCHS; Anas Al Lad’ah, photographer at the Media Production and Training Center in SCHS; Mohammed Al Qaid Al Hammadi, world Olympic champion and board member of Al Thiqa Club for the Handicapped; Fatima Salem Al Shuweihi, director of the Juthour Center and head of the Cultural Guidance Department at Qalb Al Sharjah; and Mr. “Mohammed Al Hosani,” Director of Al Heera Beach and Al Khan Beach, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and Mrs. “Nicole Stewart,” Director of Organizational Culture at Dubai Holding. The seminar was moderated by Mrs. “Rabab Abdel Wahab,” Director of the Assistive Technology Center of SCHS.
Sheikha Al Qasimi, a self-advocate, talked about her experiences in various public and recreational spaces, such movie theaters, and the difficulties that individuals with disabilities encounter in getting to these locations because some of these facilities are inaccessible to them.
For his part, self-advocate Anas noted that one of the biggest issues deaf people face in many tourist and recreational locations is the absence of sign language interpreters and tour guides who are proficient in sign language, which negatively impacts the experience of visiting these locations and prevents them from getting to know them to the fullest.
Olympic champion Mohammed Al-Qaid began his speech by expressing his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the Union and Ruler of Sharjah, may God protect him, for the unlimited support he has provided and continues to provide to people with disabilities in all fields. He also expressed his sincere thanks to Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al-Qasimi, President of SCHS, for her great efforts and constant endeavor to continuously improve the reality and future of people with disabilities.
Al-Qaid emphasized, using his notable experience with the Al-Thiqa Club for the Handicapped, that these SCHS-organized conversation sessions enable individuals with disabilities to express themselves, their rights and needs, and help raise community awareness about them.
As for the challenges faced by people with disabilities in recreational places, the Emirati champion talked about “ramps” and their lack of suitability in some places for the requirements and abilities of people with disabilities, stressing the importance of considering ease of access and entry to restaurants, cafes and other places.
Al-Qaid explained that some travel agencies impose additional costs on people with disabilities, which makes them prefer dealing with other agencies, calling on all public and private institutions to adopt policies that contribute to facilitating access for people with disabilities and their integration into society.
According to Fatima Salem Al-Shuweihi, the "Heart of Sharjah" offers all the amenities required for individuals with disabilities to visit the amazing historical monuments. Additionally, it is home to SCHS's "Falaj" Art for All Center. In the near future, SCHS will open a store in "Al-Arsa Market" that will showcase handmade artwork created by individuals with disabilities.
She added, “Cooperation with SCHS is not limited to that, but there is also cooperation with Masarat Center for Development and Empowerment, and many of its distinguished members’ products are used in souvenirs presented to tourists from all over the world, gifts that express in a wonderful and beautiful way the rich heritage of Sharjah”.
Al-Shuweihi recommended that SCHS establish committees tasked with visiting locations, doing scientific research on their suitability for those with impairments, and submitting recommendations in this area.
Mr. Mohammed Al Hosani emphasized the value of experiences in demonstrating and the necessity of developing work in order to provide the best services for individuals with disabilities, citing Al Heera Beach and Al Khan Beach's experience in offering wheelchairs, support services, and special parking spaces for individuals with disabilities.
For her part, Mrs. Nicole Stewart pointed to the efforts made by Dubai Holding to integrate people with disabilities and provide them with all appropriate services, facilitate their access and enjoyment of the recreational experience, and ensure every year to organize a course in sign language to enhance communication with deaf people.
After the seminar, the door was opened for questions from the audience, which included people with disabilities, parents, officials, media professionals, and a number of workers in the field. The discussion revolved around the importance of enacting laws and implementing procedures that would provide a suitable recreational and social experience for people with disabilities, taking into account their needs and allowing them to spend the best of times.
The first Adapted Sports Festival will take place at Sharjah Sports Club next Thursday as part of Al Wafa School for Capacity Development's observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Numerous cultural, recreational, and sporting events will be planned.