Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi attended on Wednesday the 5th “Differently-Abled” Celebration for People of Determination and Persons with Special Needs in Al Manara International Conferences Center in New Cairo.
The annual celebration is attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Social Solidarity Nivine el Kabbag, Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi along with a number of ministers and senior state officials.
A short documentary was displayed about the role of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his support for “Differently-Abled.”
The event is meant to shed light on abilities of persons with disabilities.
The celebration began with recitation of verses of Holy Quran.
Celebrations of “Differently-Abled” over the previous years were also screened to highlight achievements resulting from the continued support by the president and all bodies of the State to the disabled persons.
The documentary shed light on efforts to empower the “Differently-Abled” over the past 10 years.
Efforts started with enacting laws in the Egyptian constitution to guarantee rights and determine the State’s duties towards the people of determination, including allocating percentages of housing units, jobs, places in public transportation for them, as well as providing them with monthly financial aid.
The film highlighted the establishment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), along with providing rehabilitation offices across the various governorates in order to meet their needs and further integrate them into the educational process.
According to the documentary, more than 120,000 schools students are with special needs.
It also cited work of centers for supporting students with disabilities in five areas, in addition to providing financial support for them in 18 Egyptian universities.
The film also reviewed the role of the National Academy of Information Technology for Persons with Disabilities (NAID) in putting into effect scientific initiatives and promulgating activities across Egypt in this regard, together with the opening of the Technical Center for Services for disabled persons, the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa.
The film highlighted the Egyptian state’s interest in supporting the ‘Differently-Abled’ that was reflected in enacting laws to guarantee treatment, whether medical or psychological for them, as well as providing health centers – with the highest quality standards for their service, in addition to the existence of presidential initiatives with the aim of integrating them into the society.
The State’s drive to motivate innovators and software companies to develop programs and applications for people of determination in Arabic further attested to the State’s great keenness on supporting them, according to the documentary.
For the first time in the history of the Egyptian House of Representatives, there are nine representatives, eight of whom are elected from people of determination, in addition to the work of Ataa Charity Investment Fund for Persons with Disabilities, which is the first open investment fund to support institutions for people with disabilities, in addition to issuing integrated services cards for people of determination to ensure adequate accessibility to more people with special needs in public life, it said.
University students Rimas Mahmud and Enjy Mohamed of those with special needs thanked President Sisi for his greater interest and support for “Differently-Abled” in the country.
In her word, Chairperson of the Egyptian Sports Federation for Intellectual Disabilities Amal Mobada thanked President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for his constant support for developing and honing skills of disabled persons in the country.
Mobada told President Sisi that she- on behalf of millions of “Differently-Abled” and their families is thanking him for this support.
The child Roqia Abdullah said Egypt spares no effort to help all. The president extended his heartfelt happiness to see child Roqia in the celebration.
President Sisi watched a documentary about the conditions in the Gaza Strip following the October 7 attack.
The movie highlighted the volume of destruction in the coastal enclave in the aftermath of Israel’s non-stop shelling of the occupied Palestinian territory.
The film also spotlighted the humanitarian and medical assistance offered by Egypt to the strip and the response of the president and the government to many humanitarian cases to receive medical treatment in Egyptian hospitals.
A documentary was displayed about heroes of “Differently-Abled” who have dream, goal and determination to succeed.
Safaa Taha, a participant in the event, said Egypt has many “Differently-Abled” successful persons.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said in comments that he is very pleased to see Safaa in the celebration.
President Abdel Fattah El Sis watched a documentary about efforts of the Egyptian state and its role in providing necessary care for “Differently-Abled” persons.
Another documentary was screened on challenges facing disabled people and achievements they accomplished in sports.
The film mentioned that 53 players are now en route to Paris to represent Egypt in the World Championship for People with Disabilities in nine global games.
Egypt is supporting its champions and backing difference in the world at large, the documentary stressed.
