Doha: Qatar Foundation for Social Work's Al Noor Center for the Blind held an awareness-raising seminar on empowering the blind, in collaboration with the Community College of Qatar (CCQ). The event aimed to highlight issues facing visually impaired individuals and the role of educational and community institutions in supporting and empowering them.
According to Qatar News Agency, the seminar was moderated by Al Noor's Acting Director of Communications Abdulrahman Al Hosani. He opened the session by emphasizing the symbolism of the International White Cane Safety Day, underlining its importance in raising awareness of the rights of the blind and promoting their independence.
Mohammed Mutlaq, a Braille specialist at Al Noor Center, discussed common misconceptions about visually impaired people and outlined proper etiquette for interaction, including the importance of seeking permission before offering assistance. He stressed the white cane's crucial role as a tool for independent mobility and called on institutions to implement training programs for staff to better support blind individuals. According to Mutlaq, enhancing societal awareness is key to successful educational and social integration.
Noura Al-Muslimani, another Braille specialist, shared her daily experiences navigating with the white cane. She highlighted positive community awareness that facilitated her mobility, alongside negative encounters that revealed improper behavior towards the visually impaired. Al Muslimani also praised efforts to improve accessibility in service institutions, stressing the need to respect the privacy and autonomy of blind people.
Aida Jalal Al Balushi, a psychological researcher at CCQ's Counseling Department, outlined the college's commitment to supporting visually impaired students. She reviewed academic accommodations and support services, such as simplified registration procedures and social and psychological assistance. Al Balushi emphasized the college's dedication to fostering an inclusive educational environment that enables students to realize their potential.
The seminar concluded with key recommendations stressing the importance of strengthening partnerships between educational and social institutions to launch more inclusive initiatives. Participants called for intensified training and awareness programs to support the independence of the visually impaired and challenge societal stereotypes. Additionally, recommendations were made to relevant authorities to enforce the White Cane Law and enhance cooperation between Al Noor Center and CCQ to adapt educational environments and services to better meet the needs of blind individuals.