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The Qatar Social Work Foundation (QSW) and its affiliated centres have welcomed the issuance of Law No 22 of 2025 on persons with disabilities, calling it a significant step toward ensuring a dignified and high-quality life for all members of society.The foundation emphasised that the new legislation reflects the State’s steadfast commitment to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities, in alignment with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.QSW chief executive Rashid Mohammed al-Hamda al-Nuaimi stated that the law demonstrates the wise leadership’s vision to empower individuals and strengthen the social welfare system.He noted that the new legislation marks a significant advancement in the development of support and empowerment frameworks in Qatar, reaffirming the importance of disability issues as a central component of the country’s social development agenda.Al-Nuaimi said that the law promotes greater integration and co-ordination across national social work initiatives, and opens new avenues for collaboration between government entities and social institutions.This, he said, will help build an inclusive environment that enables persons with disabilities to participate fully in all areas of life.The official added that the QSW, through its affiliated centres, will align its programmers and initiatives with the law’s new national directives to support the empowerment, independence, and well-being of persons with disabilities.Shafallah Centre for Persons with Disabilities executive director Maryam Saif al-Suwaidi described the law as a qualitative leap in the nation’s efforts to enhance the rights of persons with disabilities.She emphasised that the legislation reflects the leadership’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable society that upholds human dignity, independence, and active participation for all.Al-Suwaidi highlighted the law’s comprehensive provisions, which include the right to inclusive education, healthcare, rehabilitation, employment, adequate housing, marriage and family life, as well as participation in cultural, sports, and political life, and access to justice and public services.Al-Noor Centre for the Blind executive director Mishal Abdullah al-Nuaimi noted that the new law embodies a holistic national approach to empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their full inclusion in all spheres of life.He pointed to key measures included in the law such as job quotas in both the public and private sectors, the creation of a national database to streamline access to services, the issuance of identification cards to facilitate benefits, and tax and fee exemptions on assistive devices and services. – QNA

The Centre for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan), affiliated with the Qatar Social Work Foundation, has resumed the activities of its day clubs with the start of the new academic year. The aim is to continue the mission of providing distinctive programmes and services to empower and care for seniors, enhancing their quality of life, and strengthening their active presence in society. The clubs include three women’s branches in Izghawa, Al Wakra, and Al Shamal, in addition to a men’s club. Ehsan is also preparing to open the Men’s Seniors’ Majlis in Katara to enrich the community activity system. These clubs have transformed into vibrant environments that combine recreation, empowerment, and social interaction, providing members with opportunities to engage in diverse activities that foster independence and strengthen their connections with their surroundings. During the previous season, Ehsan organised 477 activities, including 104 handicraft and skill-based workshops that highlighted the talents of seniors in arts and crafts, 197 awareness lectures covering social, health, family, and psychological issues, and 163 empowerment courses across various fields such as Holy Qur’an memorisation and recitation, e-learning, physical fitness, and others. These activities effectively contributed to enhancing members’ knowledge and refining their experiences. In addition, 13 trips and external visits were conducted, which offered enriching social and cultural experiences and strengthened community ties among the seniors. Ehsan’s partnerships with governmental and community institutions, including the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Municipality, Qatar Museums, the Primary Health Care Corporation, Mada Centre, and Doha University of Science and Technology, have played a key role in the success, continuity, and diversity of these activities. Sheikha Ahmed al-Hareeb, acting director of Ehsan’s Awareness and Community Department, stressed that restarting the clubs with the new school year marks a fresh milestone to build on past achievements. She noted that the upcoming phase will feature more innovative initiatives tailored to the needs of seniors, supporting their sustainable integration into society. “Ehsan clubs have become platforms for empowerment and development,” she said. “Through them, we focus on several goals, most notably enabling seniors to carry out their daily activities independently, maintaining their physical and psychological well-being, activating their developmental role and benefiting from their experiences, as well as strengthening their integration with different segments of society and expanding partnerships with governmental and civil institutions to ensure sustainable services.” Ehsan offers membership in its clubs under certain conditions, including being 60 years old or above, whether citizens or expatriates with a valid residency permit. Applicants must provide a medical report confirming their health stability, in addition to completing the membership form and submitting the required documents via the centre’s website or by visiting its headquarters.