Khaberni - In line with the strategic objective of the Faculty of Educational and Psychological Sciences at Amman Arab University regarding enhancing community service, supporting sustainable development, and embedding values of integration, inclusiveness, and empowering persons with disabilities, Amman Arab University held a celebration on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, sponsored by Her Excellency the Senator Asia Yaghi, and attended by: Dr. Wafaa Al-Eid, Dean of the Faculty of Educational and Psychological Sciences at Amman Arab University, Ms. Suheir Matar, Director of the Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktoum School for the Blind, Dr. Khalil Al-Ziyoud, family and educational advisor, faculty members, administrative staff, and university students.
In this regard, Her Excellency Senator Yaghi emphasized that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities represents an important occasion to highlight their rights and promote their integration into society, stressing the importance of providing an inclusive educational and community environment that supports their abilities and allows them to realize their full potential, referring to the distinguished programs and initiatives Amman Arab University offers to support students with disabilities, including advanced equipment in the centennial auditorium, suitable classrooms, and innovative educational facilities, in addition to training programs and workshops aimed at enhancing their academic and social skills, asserting that these efforts make the university a role model in Jordan in the field of inclusive education and full integration of persons with disabilities.
Ms. Matar reviewed the ten-year strategy for inclusive education, focusing on the concept of reverse inclusion and the importance of preparing the educational environment to accommodate the needs of all students, pointing out the practical plans and initiatives adopted by the school to provide an inclusive educational environment, including providing specialized educational tools for blind and visually impaired students, and organizing training workshops for teachers to enhance their skills in implementing inclusive education, in addition to awareness programs for students to promote values of cooperation and mutual respect, affirming that these efforts aim to empower all students and provide them with equal opportunities for academic and social success, which reflects the concern of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein in issues related to persons with disabilities and supporting inclusive education in Jordan.
Dr. Al-Ziyoud presented inspiring models from our Arab and Islamic heritage, showcasing examples of Arab and Muslim scholars and thinkers with disabilities or those who have overcome difficulties, emphasizing the need to shift focus from "persons with disabilities" to "persons with abilities," and stressed that this vision enhances values of inclusivity and empowerment, and provides students with equal opportunities for learning and academic and social excellence, in addition to promoting a culture of respect and appreciation for different abilities and skills in society, encouraging students to benefit from the historical legacy as a model to follow in overcoming challenges and achieving success, and noting that such events contribute to building a generation aware of the values of integration and empowerment, and equipped to excel in various educational and professional fields.
The event also hosted a number of students from the International Center for Special Needs from the local community, reflecting the commitment of the Faculty of Educational and Psychological Sciences to enhancing community partnerships and supporting persons with disabilities, and during the celebration, an introductory film about the opening of the special education lab at the university was shown, along with information on the services and facilities available to serve this category.
At the conclusion of the celebration, Dr. Wafaa Al-Eid, Dean of the Faculty of Educational and Psychological Sciences at the university, alongside the event's sponsor, Senator Asia Yaghi, honored the participants in the celebration, in appreciation of their participation and efforts in supporting the issues of integration, inclusivity, and empowering persons with disabilities.
