Stories, not speeches, took centre stage as ‘Sada’, a new national dialogue platform, turned inclusion into action, giving people with disabilities visibility, dignity and real economic opportunities.
Launched on Monday (January 19) by Best Buddies Qatar under the umbrella of Al-Shafallah Centre for Persons with Disabilities, ‘Sada’ was introduced as a national platform designed to empower people with disabilities through storytelling, dialogue and tangible opportunity.
“It is a national platform that cares about the empowerment of people with disabilities,” said Aida al-Sheerawi, media spokesperson for Al-Shafallah Centre, told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event. “But more than that, it is a very humane initiative – one that recognises abilities before limitations.”
Supported by Qatar National Bank and Msheireb Properties, the event brought together speakers and decision-makers from government and the private sector, underlining that inclusion is a shared national responsibility.
At the heart of ‘Sada’ was a clear message: empowerment must go beyond awareness.
“One of the most important goals of this platform is helping people with disabilities find suitable jobs and integrate fully into society,” al-Sheerawi said. “It is about recognising their skills, their communication abilities and their professional potential.”
That message became reality during the event through the launch of the Mobile Wall of Opportunities – a travelling platform showcasing CVs of job-seeking people with disabilities and connecting them directly with employers.
“The wall represents a personal legacy for each participant,” al-Sheerawi explained. “It will move across the country so institutions and companies can see their professional skills and adopt their talents.”
One of the most emotional moments of the event centred on Abdulaziz al-Suwaidi, a May 2025 graduate of Al-Shafallah Centre, who spoke openly about the challenges he faced in securing employment.
“Despite interviews and promises, he faced many obstacles,” al-Sheerawi said. “Through this platform, he finally found real interest.”
At the event, Doha Bank offered al-Suwaidi a job, making him the first individual to receive a ‘Hired’ badge on the Wall of Opportunities.
“This moment showed exactly why ‘Sada’ exists,” she added. “It turned hope into action.”
The initiative also aligns closely with Law No. 25 of 2025 concerning persons with disabilities, issued by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
“This is not charity, it is a right,” al-Sheerawi stressed. “People with disabilities have the right to live with dignity, independence and equal access to employment - economically, socially and culturally.”
By bringing decision-makers into the room, organisers said the platform aims to ensure national legislation translates into lived reality.
‘Sada’ placed people with disabilities at the centre of the experience, not only as speakers, but as creators and contributors.
Six individuals shared personal stories alongside family members and friends, while event gifts were designed and produced by Best Buddies members themselves, highlighting the message of productivity and capability.
“Participation is empowerment,” al-Sheerawi said. “True inclusion happens when people are part of decision-making, not symbolic representation.”
The event concluded with the announcement of a global interactive artwork, created using artificial intelligence and responses from Best Buddies programmes in more than 50 countries.
Participants answered a single question: What does inclusion mean to you? Their words were transformed into one collective digital artwork – built not on data, but emotion.
“It showed that inclusion is not only a local commitment,” organisers said, “but a global responsibility.”
Al-Sheerawi revealed ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health to simplify training and accreditation pathways for people with intellectual disabilities, particularly in the food and beverage sector.
“This is only the beginning. We want every person with a disability in Qatar to have the opportunity to live with dignity and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.
