How Qatar’s preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup have helped catalyse social change for persons with disabilities – and make it the most accessible tournament to date – were highlighted during a panel discussion at Multaqa (Education City Student’s Centre) recently.
The discussion, which took place during the Accessibility Forum held by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 organisers, saw Alexandra Chalat, the director of Community Engagement and World Cup Legacy at Qatar Foundation (QF), explain the organisation’s role in building a long-lasting accessibility legacy that extends beyond the tournament.
“The QF has always prioritised accessibility as a key component of its mission to unlock potential and education through its schools, focused programmes, facilities and infrastructure,” she said.
“Both our Ability Friendly Programme and partnership with Generation Amazing provide opportunities in sports for youth with different abilities,” Chalat added. “And with hosting the World Cup, we looked at how we could scale these to reach more young people – as well as raise awareness about accessibility.”
“Additionally, the QF has been developing and delivering the training for the accessibility volunteers, which has reached more than 200 people. They will be directing and supporting fans, visitors and residents alike on their fan journeys,” she said.
As part of the QF’s inclusivity efforts, it recently launched an accessibility guide, which highlights accessible landmarks, events, routes around Qatar, to help all fans experience the World Cup, regardless of their abilities.
Another speaker at the panel was Generation Amazing master coach Michael Richardson, who emphasised what it takes to make a tangible impact.
“It's not just about speaking of accessibility or making sure that people have access to a football field, it's much more than that,” he stated. “It's creating access to opportunities, time, and resources.”
“More often than not you find people talking about how important accessibility is without understanding its barriers,” said Richardson. “And it's the role of Generation Amazing to almost be the embodiment of the accessibility vision and the SC’s commitment to ensuring an accessible World Cup tournament and everything around it.”
As part of the QF’s commitment to ensuring a long-lasting legacy, it will be using the World Cup as an opportunity to launch the Ability Friendly Programme’s “coach the coach” initiative, which will enable members of community – such as trainers, teachers, and volunteers – to reach more youth locally and globally.
Chalat stressed that if football is for everyone, it has to be designed with intent and with purpose.
“You can't just throw a ball into the field and assume people can come together and play,” she pointed out. “And that’s what Generation Amazing is doing, creating programmes that use football with intent, and when we're talking about accessibility, that's a crucial thing to understand.”
“Our Ability Friendly Programme, for instance, has a very specific curriculum that ensures that people with different abilities can participate, and it's important that we recognise that from both a player perspective and a fan perspective,” Chalat said. “A huge amount of work has gone into making this an accessible World Cup, from technology to infrastructure, and it is important to understand that it is for all before we even make an effort to make it all.”
Another session held during the Accessibility Forum, moderated by Nihal al-Saleh, programme manager at Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future – a member of QF – shed light on the sensory rooms.
Described as “stepping stones”, they will help people with different abilities – and their families – enjoy the games in a comfortable, safe space.
During the session, Lulwa al-Darwish, a special education teacher at Renad Academy, part of QF’s Pre-University Education, which helps children who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder, underlined the importance of providing equal opportunities for everyone in the community.
“Everybody is highlighting that we are creating a space that will allow access to remarkable events, and it's good to be aware,” she said. “However, it's also important to be accepting, without labeling, to treat every person as an individual that has equal rights, and to let their family know that their child is welcome regardless of their abilities or challenges.”
The discussion, which took place during the Accessibility Forum held by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 organisers, saw Alexandra Chalat, the director of Community Engagement and World Cup Legacy at Qatar Foundation (QF), explain the organisation’s role in building a long-lasting accessibility legacy that extends beyond the tournament.
“The QF has always prioritised accessibility as a key component of its mission to unlock potential and education through its schools, focused programmes, facilities and infrastructure,” she said.
“Both our Ability Friendly Programme and partnership with Generation Amazing provide opportunities in sports for youth with different abilities,” Chalat added. “And with hosting the World Cup, we looked at how we could scale these to reach more young people – as well as raise awareness about accessibility.”
“Additionally, the QF has been developing and delivering the training for the accessibility volunteers, which has reached more than 200 people. They will be directing and supporting fans, visitors and residents alike on their fan journeys,” she said.
As part of the QF’s inclusivity efforts, it recently launched an accessibility guide, which highlights accessible landmarks, events, routes around Qatar, to help all fans experience the World Cup, regardless of their abilities.
Another speaker at the panel was Generation Amazing master coach Michael Richardson, who emphasised what it takes to make a tangible impact.
“It's not just about speaking of accessibility or making sure that people have access to a football field, it's much more than that,” he stated. “It's creating access to opportunities, time, and resources.”
“More often than not you find people talking about how important accessibility is without understanding its barriers,” said Richardson. “And it's the role of Generation Amazing to almost be the embodiment of the accessibility vision and the SC’s commitment to ensuring an accessible World Cup tournament and everything around it.”
As part of the QF’s commitment to ensuring a long-lasting legacy, it will be using the World Cup as an opportunity to launch the Ability Friendly Programme’s “coach the coach” initiative, which will enable members of community – such as trainers, teachers, and volunteers – to reach more youth locally and globally.
Chalat stressed that if football is for everyone, it has to be designed with intent and with purpose.
“You can't just throw a ball into the field and assume people can come together and play,” she pointed out. “And that’s what Generation Amazing is doing, creating programmes that use football with intent, and when we're talking about accessibility, that's a crucial thing to understand.”
“Our Ability Friendly Programme, for instance, has a very specific curriculum that ensures that people with different abilities can participate, and it's important that we recognise that from both a player perspective and a fan perspective,” Chalat said. “A huge amount of work has gone into making this an accessible World Cup, from technology to infrastructure, and it is important to understand that it is for all before we even make an effort to make it all.”
Another session held during the Accessibility Forum, moderated by Nihal al-Saleh, programme manager at Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future – a member of QF – shed light on the sensory rooms.
Described as “stepping stones”, they will help people with different abilities – and their families – enjoy the games in a comfortable, safe space.
During the session, Lulwa al-Darwish, a special education teacher at Renad Academy, part of QF’s Pre-University Education, which helps children who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder, underlined the importance of providing equal opportunities for everyone in the community.
“Everybody is highlighting that we are creating a space that will allow access to remarkable events, and it's good to be aware,” she said. “However, it's also important to be accepting, without labeling, to treat every person as an individual that has equal rights, and to let their family know that their child is welcome regardless of their abilities or challenges.”