Hosted at JCCI headquarters under the patronage of Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, minister of state and Cabinet member, the event highlighted the European experience in accessible tourism and human resource development.

Supported by the Arab Tourism Organization, participants are Saad Al-Damen (chairman of the Arab Tourism Organization) Ivor Ambrose (UNWTO) Rania sabenegh (Greece) and Katerina Papaamichail (Enat). The participants also paid tribute to the role pursued by (Tayseer) with regard to programs rendered to disabled people of Jeddah who are ranging between 20-25 thousand persons.

Faisal Bataweel, projects director of Jeddah accessibility and facilitation projects said that with regard to disabilities rehabilitation program for the government, the program aims to apply the seven building modifications so as to fit all categories of disabilities in addition to providing signal language training in such places including 3,300 buildings in the first phase.

On standardization related programs and means of people with disabilities, he said, these programs focus on the training of contractors and people with disabilities so as to use all rehabilitation building standards.

With regard to research programs for disabilities, King Abdul Aziz University has been chosen to prepare the researches which focus on reducing costs of building rehabilitation means for the persons with disabilities.

Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Hamdan, president of Jeddah Social Responsibility Center (JSRC), emphasized the need for taking steps to take care of handicapped people and help them visit tourist centers.

“The project for remaking tourist and recreation centers for the benefit of the handicapped will be carried out in coordination with Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities and municipalities,” said Al-Hamdan.

The project will include training of personnel, employment of the handicapped, educating the public on the rights of the handicapped and conducting research to develop recreational facilities for people of special needs.