Doha, January 19 (QNA) - The Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities, one of the  Qatar Foundation for Social Work affiliated centers, held a launching event for the 'sada' (echo) initiative, a national platform that aims to empower persons with disabilities, their families, and friends, and provides them with a genuine space to express their experiences and stories.

This initiative aligns with the Shafallah Center's strategic objectives in terms of social inclusion.

Developed under the center's Best Buddies Qatar program, the platform aims to enhance community participation and widen social, cultural, and economic empowerment opportunities.

The event was attended by CEO of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work​​ Rashid Mohammed Al Naimi, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Saleh Majid Al Khulaifi.

The initiative was supported and sponsored by the Qatar National Bank (QNB) and Msheireb Properties.

On this occasion, Executive Director of Best Buddies Qatar Mashael Ali Al Misnad expressed her hope that 'sada' would develop into a sustainable national phenomenon, similar to global platforms that give a voice to those who usually lack opportunities to speak up, providing them with a platform where their voices can be heard with dignity and respect.

Al Misnad stated that the 'sada' event featured many interactive activities, during which six persons with disabilities shared their experiences, along with their families and friends. All talks were presented through concise, human-centered storytelling that focused on lived experiences and the real impact of Best Buddies Qatar's efforts across all aspects of their lives.

She added that the large and significant turnout at the event would play a major and influential role in supporting the aspirations and hopes of persons with disabilities and in achieving the desired objectives of Law No. (25) of 2025 concerning persons with disabilities.

Al Misnad also noted that work has been carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health to simplify training and accreditation procedures for persons with intellectual disabilities, enabling them to work in the food and beverage sector in the future.

She affirmed that this initiative is a first step toward showcasing the capabilities and professional readiness of persons with disabilities and paving the way for more comprehensive and sustainable accreditation pathways.

During the event, the mobile wall of opportunities display was launched, in a symbolic step that underscores moving from hope to action and from awareness to opportunity.

One of the most prominent elements of the 'sada' initiative, the display will tour several key locations in Doha, serving as an ongoing platform to showcase the CVs of job-seeking persons with disabilities and connecting them with real employment opportunities across the public and private sectors.

The 'sada' event featured several segments of profound human impact, highlighting the experiences of many persons with disabilities who have left a meaningful mark and lasting impression.

At the conclusion of the event, an interactive global initiative that reflects the human and social dimensions of inclusion was announced, sending out a single link to all Best Buddies Qatar partners, Qatar Foundation for Social Work affiliated centers, and Best Buddies programs in more than 50 countries worldwide. (QNA)