Doha: The Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities, affiliated with the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, hosted a launching event for the 'sada' (echo) initiative, a national platform aimed at empowering persons with disabilities, their families, and friends. This platform intends to provide them with an authentic space to share their experiences and stories, aligning with the center's strategic objectives of social inclusion.
According to Qatar News Agency, the 'sada' platform has been developed under the center's Best Buddies Qatar program. It seeks to enhance community participation and expand social, cultural, and economic empowerment opportunities. The event was attended by prominent figures such as Rashid Mohammed Al Naimi, CEO of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Saleh Majid Al Khulaifi. The initiative receives support and sponsorship from Qatar National Bank (QNB) and Msheireb Properties.
Executive Director of Best Buddies Qatar, Mashael Ali Al Misnad, expressed her hope that 'sada' would evolve into a sustainable national phenomenon, akin to global platforms that provide a voice to those who often lack opportunities to speak up. She emphasized that the event featured various interactive activities, where six persons with disabilities, along with their families and friends, shared their experiences through concise, human-centered storytelling. This storytelling highlighted the real impact of Best Buddies Qatar's efforts across all aspects of their lives.
Al Misnad also mentioned that the significant turnout at the event would play a crucial role in supporting the aspirations of persons with disabilities and in achieving the objectives of Law No. (25) of 2025 concerning persons with disabilities. She noted ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health to simplify training and accreditation procedures for persons with intellectual disabilities, enabling future employment opportunities in the food and beverage sector. Al Misnad affirmed that this initiative is an initial step in showcasing the capabilities and professional readiness of persons with disabilities and aims to create more comprehensive and sustainable accreditation pathways.
During the event, the mobile wall of opportunities display was launched, symbolizing the shift from hope to action and awareness to opportunity. This display is a key element of the 'sada' initiative and will travel to several locations in Doha, serving as a continuous platform to showcase the CVs of job-seeking persons with disabilities, connecting them with real employment opportunities across public and private sectors.
The 'sada' event featured segments of profound human impact, highlighting experiences of many persons with disabilities who have made significant contributions. At the conclusion of the event, an interactive global initiative was announced, reflecting the human and social dimensions of inclusion. This initiative involved sending a single link to all Best Buddies Qatar partners, Qatar Foundation for Social Work affiliated centers, and Best Buddies programs in over 50 countries worldwide.