RIYADH, 29 June — Prince Salman Center for Disability Research has launched an intensive research program on various aspects of the problems associated with disability. The move is primarily intended to improve the quality of life for the disabled people and to integrate them into the mainstream of society.
Prince Salman Center for Disability Research was set up using personal donations from the Riyadh governor.
The research program will help combat the steadily growing disability problem and to address various issues confronting millions of handicapped people living in different parts of the world.
The total number of disabled adults in Saudi Arabia exceeds 75,000. Besides, a large number of Saudi children suffer from one or the other form of disability.
Referring to the research program, Dr. Terrence R. Dolan, executive director of the center, said its was currently accepting applications from researchers to join the annual program. The center has specified 10 topics related to disabilities for work.
He said the topics include: Role of Shariah in the services of disabled persons, Screening, identification and management of common genetic diseases, Epidemiology of childhood disabilities, Development of diagnostic, screening, assessment and intervention tools including cognitive development, speech and language development and other developmental indices. Projects on a unified Arabic sign language will also be accepted.
Other subjects on which research proposals have been invited include: Research on diagnosis and intervention of autism, ADHD and related behavioral syndromes, Research on intervention programs for children with or at risk for disabilities, Use of computers and technology to improve quality of life, Policy research related to needs of the disabled, Role of disabled persons and Evaluation of economic issues in disability research.
Besides these topics, researchers can seek special permission from Dr. Dolan to study other relevant topics. More information and application forms can be downloaded from the website http://www.pscdr.org.sa/grantapplication.html/.
The forms can be obtained from the center’s offices personally or by writing to P.O. Box 94682, Riyadh 11614. Completed applications will be accepted until Oct. 15.
