Kuwait champions disability rights in Gulf

With the aim of integrating the disabled into mainstream society, the Nokhba Allamia Voluntary Group held its first 'Employment Fair for the Disabled' on June 14 and 15 respectively. The event was hosted at the Movenpick Hotel at the Free Trade Zone, under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Housing and Development. His son, Sheikh Fahad Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah represented him at the event. Around 42 public and private institutions made their presence felt. Pavilions were set up to display services and products. Lectures and symposiums discussing the problems faced by disabled people were held on the sidelines of the event. During the inaugural ceremony held on Tuesday, Dr Hamad Al-Tuweijri owner of the Movenpick Hotel at the Free Trade Zone delivered a welcoming speech, "Caring for the disabled is a national duty. We should work toward eliminating the obstacles they face. The disabled are not a burden to society. They can garner many achievements. He opined that different institutions should cooperate for their cause, "The responsibility of helping the disabled lies with the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), and sport clubs. Ideas should be exchanged and regulations be passed to serve the disabled. I am sure they have the creativity and energy that cannot be ignored and should be exploited. We are proud of their sporting and scientific achievements," he noted. To care about the category of the disabled was always the government's priority, "The government founded the Noor School for the Blind in 1955, the first step in care for the disabled. Today, Kuwaitis are trained to deal with the disabled and support them. We in the private sector also support these trainees," concluded Al-Tuweijri. Dr Ahmad Awaad, international interpreter and Arab expert in Special Education noted that Kuwait has pioneered the cause of the disabled in the region by extending care and services. He also reviewed the local regulations related to the disabled including their rights, "The new law passed for the disabled has many benefits from all fields, especially since it offered benefits for non-Kuwaitis who are disabled from all nationalities," he pointed out. We need to increase media and community awareness in order to rehabilitate them in the development process. We should also provide psychological and educational advice for the disabled and their families. We should work toward integrating them with the community," Awaad added.