MA’AN Development Center Conducts a civic debate on the Rights of People with Special Needs in Al-Kafryat Area
MA’AN Development Center conducted a civic debate on the rights of people with special needs on Saturday March the 23rd of 2013. The civic debate was conducted in cooperation with the Kafryat municipality and with local CBOs. People with special needs in Al-Kafryat area account for about 10-12%, which signifies that people with special needs represent a significant minority that need attention and care. Many experts attended the seminar including Dr. Sabah Shershir, representative of the Ministry of Social Affairs. Dr Shershir explained the ministry role in addressing the needs of people with disabilities; he pointed out that there are currently 56 adult people in Al Kafryat area registered with the ministry.
Dr. Husni Awad from the Quds Open University talked about the gap between the hopes and the reality when addressing the issue of people with special needs; pointing out that care-takers who have disabled people in their households are reluctant to register with the specialized institutes in the rural areas of Palestine for social reasons. He highlighted the care that people with disabilities are entitled to under the international agreements and laws.
Mr. Jalal Oudeh. The head of mental and social health at the Red Crescent in Tulkarem area stressed the role of family in helping their disabled children deal with the disability and live the normal life they deserve. He explained the importance of education in lifting the spirits of people with special needs. He encouraged families to register their children with the authorized agencies in order to receive the proper care and attention they are entitled to under the law.
Success stories were portrayed in the seminar. Mr. Majdi Murie, the head of the Union of People with Special Needs in Tulkarem presented a short film on the subject. The film portrayed the family role in dealing with their disabled members and the necessity of designing building and facilities all over so that they are accessible to people with disabilities. The seminal concluded with stressing the following points:
1. The necessity of continuing to conduct similar activities and seminars.
2. The need to encourage and ensure that all disabled people are properly registered.
3. The need to prepare communities to the sensitive needs of disabled people in the community building infrastructure and buildings.
4. The need to invite the private sector to participate more actively in addressing this issue.
5. The need for local CBOs to coordinate their efforts in addressing this issue.
MA’AN Development Center represented by Ms. Suzan Marie thanked all experts and participants, especially Kurf Zeibad Club and the people of al Karfyat in general. This civic debated is one of the many community seminars that MA’AN conducts in both Tulkarem and Khan Younis areas to engage the community and train them to identify their needs and play a major role in addressing them.
