Qatar Foundation's officials and participants during the event.
Doha, Qatar: The Ability Friendly Programme, part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, organised a celebration for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with wide participation from centres, schools, and institutions working in the field of disability.
The event featured an exhibition through which visitors learned about a range of resources and services offered by local specialised entities, aimed at supporting persons with disabilities and empowering their families. It also included a series of physical and hands-on activities.
The family-centred celebration, offering an interactive space for children where they could play and learn safely while their families explored the available services.
This created a welcoming atmosphere that combined entertainment, awareness, and family engagement.
Head of Qatar Foundation’s Ability Friendly Programme, Kathleen Bates said, “The event was aimed at connecting families with the resources available in the community and helping them discover centres, programmes, and services they may not have known about.
“By bringing everyone together, we sought to ensure families felt supported and informed, especially as part of our ongoing commitment following the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
“Everyone in the community deserves recognition and a spotlight. This was a day to celebrate people with disabilities, who they are, and the abilities they bring. We were proud to bring everyone together to highlight inclusion and potential.”
Mona Essa, mother of a six-year-old child with mild autism, said, “My child has mild autism, and events like this were very important for his mental stimulation and development. They helped activate his thinking, release his energy in a positive way, and encouraged him to take part in different activities that were suitable for all ages.
“I always made sure he attended this type of event, especially since our children sometimes face bullying. These initiatives played a key role in raising awareness in the community about such conditions and helped build greater acceptance among other children, parents, and schools.”
Renju Nair, a parent of a hearing-impaired child, said: “Events like this were very important for parents because they helped us learn more about the opportunities and services available for our children in Qatar. Attending such events gave us valuable exposure to what different centres and schools could provide.
“As a family, this type of event also allowed us to enjoy meaningful time together. My daughter is not usually very active in sports, but being there encouraged her to try new activities after seeing other children take part. Most importantly, these events gave her a chance to interact with others, gain confidence, and feel included.”
