JEDDAH: For the first time in the history of Shoura Council, a delegation of 17 blind and visually-impaired citizens attended the session in Riyadh on Monday.

The “special” delegation was led by Faten Al-Yafi, acting secretary-general of the Jeddah-based Ebsar Charitable Society.

The initiative was the first of its kind in the history of the council, Al-Yafi said, adding that the visit has enriched the efforts to create communication and collaboration between the Shoura Council and Ebsar.

“The initiative helped the blind and visually-impaired people to hear the session and develop a good relationship that will enable them to express their problems in society,” Al-Yafi was quoted as saying by local media on Monday.

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh, head of the Shoura Council, welcomed the delegation from Ebsar society, highlighting the care and efforts led by the leadership for the people with special

needs.

Haitham Abdul Aziz Al-Sabeel, a member of Ebsar, said the visit comes amidst the society’s efforts to learn about the Shoura Council’s functioning.

Al-Sabeel referred to the Shoura’s approval of a regulation to maintain the rights of people with special needs, which will replace the current law.

The new law includes establishment of a commission that will be responsible for drafting general policies for the disabled.