Doha: Under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, HE Minister of Social Development and Family, Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, honored the graduates of Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities at the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2025.
According to Qatar News Agency, the 29 graduates received specialized educational and rehabilitation services in accordance with the highest international standards, aiming to develop their individual capabilities, enhance their skills, and support their integration into society.
Executive Director of the Shafallah Center, Maryam Saif Al Suwaidi, expressed pride in graduating a new class of members, affirming that their achievement reflects resilience and the ability to excel despite challenges. She emphasized that the presence of these graduates is living proof that disability does not equate to inability but serves as motivation for success and excellence. She reiterated the center's commitment to supporting and empowering the graduates across various fields.
Al Suwaidi reaffirmed the center's dedication to providing comprehensive training and rehabilitation opportunities for all groups. The center collaborates with relevant stakeholders to promote access to training, employment, and empowerment opportunities, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in the areas of social justice and human development.
As part of the State's commitment to achieving inclusive and sustainable development, relevant entities have confirmed that employing persons with disabilities is a key pillar of the National Development Strategy (2022-2027), in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Al Suwaidi noted that the State is working to strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labor market through specialized training and rehabilitation programs, inclusive work environments, and support for the public and private sectors through legislation and national initiatives promoting fair, non-discriminatory employment.
Al Suwaidi also mentioned the center's efforts to empower persons with disabilities economically and socially, creating equal opportunities for their active participation in nation-building. She highlighted new policy developments supporting this direction, including the launch of vocational and technical training programs and the provision of necessary institutional support.
She emphasized that the most pressing challenge remains shifting societal perceptions and raising awareness of the capabilities of persons with disabilities. Al Suwaidi underlined the private sector's role in providing real and appropriate opportunities for this segment of society. She concluded by affirming the government's continued efforts to promote social justice and human rights, ensuring all members of society, including persons with disabilities, are true partners in the national development process.
In line with Qatar's commitment to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities, the Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities was established in 1999 to provide model services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism under the age of 21. The center offers specialized education and rehabilitation, along with community awareness programs to support greater independence and societal inclusion. Since 2013, it has operated under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work.