JEDDAH, 17 June 2004 — Physically challenged children in a coloring contest, boys with hearing and speech impairment performing a perfectly synchronized traditional dance, a boy in a wheel chair swinging to the beats of traditional music and institutions for the disabled children handing out information to shoppers. This was the scene at Jeddah’s Le Mall on Tuesday night.
A number of shoppers were surprised as they did their shopping. “I’m delighted to see this exposure being given to the needs of disabled children,” one shopper said.
“The activities are all aimed at creating awareness among the public about children with special needs,” said Dunia Idris Bin Ali, manager, “You Are Not Alone” Center. A walk through the mall showed enthusiastic participation by physically and mentally challenged children in different activities, whether music, dance, coloring or something else.
Carl Adolfsson of the Disabled Children’s Association, who was there with exhibits of artificial limbs, explained how the organization was helping the physically challenged. “Children tend to feel normal once they are fitted with artificial limbs,” he said.
Parents are counseled about coping with their feelings about children with special needs. The parents are taught the importance of early identification of problems and early intervention. The child is taught basic skills as a prerequisite to socialization, self-help, communication and cognition, a spokesperson for Hope for Exceptional Needs said, outlining its early intervention activities.
Preschool is an important link in preparing to join mainstream education. Already acquired skills are refined and pre-academic skills are introduced. Vocational training begins with three-year-olds with activities such as arts and crafts, domestic skills, computer science, dance and dramatics.
“A host of other activities that help us in detecting the potential in each child are also pursued,” a spokeswoman said. Workshop training includes calligraphy, candle making, tailoring, chocolate making and basic accounting. Workshop training with mothers is emphasized, as there is no better teacher than the child’s mother.
“How productive are your kids this summer?” This is one of the programs being offered by Hope, which is organizing a “Camp Cool Kids ‘04” from July 3 to Aug. 15. It will offer varied activities for the holistic development of children.
Saudi Arabian Airlines has a stand where visitors are briefed by Abdul Aziz Al-Mohisen, senior specialist of onboard services programs, special needs unit. “Disabled people need to get around as much as the able-bodied. They just require a bit of special care. That’s why we have set up our special needs unit with a comprehensive range of services dedicated to their convenience and well-being,” Al-Mohisen said.
The airline has designed meals for the visually impaired, meals for the autistic and liquidized meals. The airline offers Al Fajer magazine in Braille, Braille menus, Braille safety instruction guides and a deaf communication passenger guide. “What’s more, all onboard toilets are wheelchair accessible,” he said, adding that enabling the disabled to fly is the airline’s objective, and one which has been internationally recognized.
