Gulf Disability Society hosts ‘Employment of People with Disabilities in GCC – Laws, Systems and Working Environments’ Conference in Qatar

Middle East Apr 26, 2012

DOHA: Providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities will be the focus of the Seventh Gulf Disability Week and a ground breaking conference to be held in Doha, Qatar this month.

Hosted by the Gulf Disability Society and supported by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Msheireb Properties, the conference theme is “Employment of People with Disabilities in GCC - Laws, Systems and Working Environments” and will examine ways to develop, create and maintain work opportunities for people with disabilities.

To be held 29-30 April at the Msheireb Enrichment Center, the conference will feature talks from experts in the field of assistive technologies which enable people with disabilities to access work opportunities in Qatar.

The two-day event will also examine recruitment issues as well as hear testimonies from people with disabilities and their experiences in the workplace.

Dr. Wafa Al Yazeedi, Vice-president Gulf Disability Society and one of the conference organizers, said the event was an important forum to address issues facing people with disabilities who currently are in or who want to enter the workplace.

“This event is being organized by the Gulf Disability Society to highlight the importance of the rights of people with disabilities in the GCC, and in Qatar,” Dr. Al-Yazeedi said.

“With this event we are focusing on the employment of people with disabilities – having a right job as per their education, skills and experience and not as a charity. Although tremendous improvements have been noticed in this area, it still needs lots of development and attitude changing towards achieving the full inclusion of people with disabilities into workplace,” she added.

“The employment of people with disabilities is one of the important issues that reflect the interest of communities to support and uphold the rights of such persons,” Dr. Al-Yazeedi explained, referring to importance of activating the laws and regulations concerning the employment of persons with disabilities in Qatar.

Khalid Al-Shaabi, Board Member of the Gulf Disability Society, affirmed the importance of activating laws and regulations that promote access to employment opportunities.

He added, “Today, community awareness plays a primary role in improving the status of persons with disabilities and integrating them into society.”

Al-Shaabi highlighted the need to provide employment opportunities that are adapted to the individual capacities of persons with disabilities.

He also emphasized the importance of exchanging ideas and insights in regard to improving the standard of living for persons with disabilities, as well as enabling them to be more self-reliant.

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com