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Qatar โproviding good serviceโ to disabled people
By Ourouba Hussein/Staff Reporter
The mistakes in Qatarโs implementation of the UN convention on the rights of people with special needs are minor and easy to correct, in the light of a strong government commitment towards people with disabilities, a senior UN official said yesterday.
Addressing a press conference, the newly appointed UN special rapporteur on disability commission for social development Shuaib Chalklen, who has succeeded Sheikh Hessa bint Khalifa al-Thani, said that Qatar, having ratified the convention two years ago, was due to present its first report on the implementation of the agreement.
The UN special rapporteur, who is on a short visit to Qatar, aims to discuss international co-operation, address any questions around the implementation of the convention and check on more vulnerable groups among disabled people like the deaf.
The visit also includes discussing the Millennium Development Goals, so that the people with special needs become included in the anti-poverty measures.
Chalklenโs visit included meetings with the ministries of culture, arts and heritage, trade and business, urban planning and development as well as the Shafallah Centre for Children with Special Needs and many other institutions.
โThe impression is that the government of Qatar is doing a very good job, providing services to disabled peopleโ, he stated.
Speaking on the Shafallah Centre, Chalklen maintained that it was a leader in the world.
โI have never seen anything like that; it is very unique, especially that they are expanding it even further, but people need to know more about itโ, he said.
He explained that The Shafallah was a very specialised centre, while there were many other disabled people in society.
Highlighting a question raised during his meeting with disabled women, he pointed out that equal opportunities on education and employment were a matter of concern to them.
โThere are many things that could be improvedโ, he added.
The official concluded that Qatar was in a fortunate position, as it possessed the stateโs commitment and good resources.
Chalklean said complaints reported by people with disabilities in Qatar included inaccessible buildings or bathrooms.
โI do not know if there is any building code in Qatar, but those are correctable mistakesโ, he said, adding โSome enable easy access into the building but do not include any accessible bathroomsโ.
He noted that his meetings with people with special needs did not include any complaints regarding equal employment opportunities.
Additional Information
Country: Qatar
Website: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=348195&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
Contact Person: N/A
Source: Email from: Akari IKESHIMA
When: 15/3/2010
