In an effort to ensure inclusivity in all areas and that the opinions and aspirations of all individuals with disabilities are fully represented, Mada – the Qatar Assistive Technology Centre, with its vision of "Universal Access”, has formed an advisory team of people with disabilities.
Believing that persons with disabilities are key partners in decision-making, the team represents people with various types of disabilities to serve as a platform for dialogue and active participation in discussing initiatives, strategies and policies related to people with disabilities.
The team aims to support inclusive policies and meaningful participation in decision-making.
The Mada Centre said that the best solutions come from those who live the experience firsthand, and that this is a great step toward an "effective partnership and sustainable impact”.
"In this context, the formation of Qatar’s Advisory Team of Persons with Disabilities reinforces their role as active partners in dialogue and contributors to the development of initiatives and policies that impact their lives,” the Mada Centre said in a statement.
The team includes individuals with hearing, visual, and physical disabilities, people living with multiple sclerosis, as well as parents of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down syndrome.
The team enhances direct dialogue and ensures that policies match real-world needs by involving individuals with lived experiences.
It also positions participants as active partners in creating sustainable and accessible community initiatives.
The team aims to foster dialogue and meaningful participation in initiatives and policies related to persons with disabilities, supporting a more inclusive and accessible society.
"When persons with disabilities have a seat at the table, decisions become more inclusive, and visions are better aligned with reality, helping to shape a future built through everyone’s participation,” a Mada official stated.
The Mada Centre works through strategic and smart partnerships, delivering impactful projects and a suite of specialised services for institutions.
These include supporting the development and accreditation of digital platforms and solutions according to international accessibility standards, ensuring physical accessibility across facilities and services, and building the capacities of specialists through tailored training programmes.
The centre also provides consultancy services and raises awareness on accessibility policies to enable different sectors to improve their services for persons with disabilities and the elderly, thereby fostering sustainable institutional practices that elevate quality of life and promote inclusion.