Ministry of Social Development and Family's Qatar Social Work (QSW) launched Sunday a workshop on a project to design autism-friendly spaces in the State of Qatar.
Launched in cooperation with the Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities and Empower World, the two-day workshop is part of the QSW's projects seeking to lead efforts to support social issues and activate international and local partnerships. It also spreads awareness of the needs of people with autism around the world.
Acting CEO of the QSW Rashid Mohammed Al Naimi said in a statement that this workshop comes within the framework of supporting the country's efforts to break the cycle of social isolation and limited opportunities for people with autism, by establishing an integrated ecosystem.
Establishing autism-friendly spaces in the State of Qatar aims to create a high-quality ecosystem for professional stakeholders and to provide the necessary knowledge and tools to develop autism-friendly cities and facilities, Al Naimi added.
He stressed that the workshop will allow the participating parties from the ministries and concerned institutions, who represent policy makers, influencers and stakeholders from various sectors, to assess the status of autism-friendly spaces in the State of Qatar, which will lead to the development of autism-friendly guidelines specific to the State of Qatar.
Executive Director of the Shafallah Center Laalei Mohammed Abu Alfain said the project has four main goals, which are to set clear guidelines and standards for autism-friendly design in Qatar to help and ensure that new buildings and public places cope with the needs of people with autism.
In a related context, she added that they would collect and revise data on spaces, barriers and opportunities to create autism-friendly spaces in Qatar, as well as to enhance awareness about autism, and get the people with autism further integrated in the Qatari society.
Source: Qatar News Agency
