The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to work within the field of capacity building and exchange experiences to enhance joint action and enable full potential of persons with disabilities
Doha – Business Class
Mada Assistive Technology Center and the National Human Rights Committee have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at working towards achieving their common objectives. The Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by Maha al Mansouri, Mada CEO and Mariam Abdullah Al Atiah, NHRC General Secretary, is intended to exchange experiences and highlight common concerns in the various fields related to the rights of persons with disabilities. In addition to ensuring the implementation of laws and regulations to guarantee that persons with disabilities have access to all their rights, and to agree on responsibilities from both sides to build capacity, competencies and raise awareness.
Mada has always been keen to adopt the latest methods and best practices. In order to achieve equality between persons with disabilities and other members of society, the two sides agreed to cooperate in the study and analysis of international and local reports of governmental and non-governmental organizations. These pertain to accessibility for persons with disabilities, as well as the launching of community initiatives and campaigns that promote awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities. It was also agreed that both sides would investigate ways in which to cooperate and coordinate preparation of plans and programs. These would promote more understanding of the culture and rights of persons with disabilities, as well as ways to integrate them into society.
“We are committed to empowering people with disabilities in Qatar through education, employment, and community initiatives, as well as cooperating to conduct studies on best practices for the rights of persons with disabilities. Especially with regards to accessibility, and to study the environment that helps to set goals and initiatives,” said Maha Al Mansouri, CEO of Mada. “This MOU will play an important role in supporting people with disabilities in Qatar and developing the assistive technology sector. The signing of this agreement will support our efforts towards Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy. It is also vital to implementing Qatar’s policy of general accessibility and e-accessibility, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities “.Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two parties will launch joint community awareness campaigns that promote understanding of the persons with disabilities ecosystem and their right to accessibility. It was also agreed that both parties would work on training and capacity-building of different institutions to promote such awareness. In addition to collaborating and sharing experiences when conducting studies and statistics on the status of the rights of persons with disabilities. Moreover, accessing and analyzing the external and internal environment that helps set goals, initiatives, projects and programs.
In accordance with the provisions of this Memorandum, the two parties shall form a Joint Executive Committee who will prepare the draft programs required for the implementation of the provisions of this Memorandum. Furthermore, they will determine the obligations, the costs, and follow up, as well as implement the provisions of this Memorandum. In addition to developing a vision for training, capacity building, exchange of experiences, and suggestions on solutions to any difficulties that may be encountered in the implementation of areas and aspects of joint cooperation. The parties will also propose new frameworks for cooperation, both in the areas covered by the memorandum or others.
Mada is committed to promoting accessibility for persons with disabilities through ICT and is making strong efforts in Qatar to empower PWD. The Center aims to improve the digital integration of persons with disabilities. Mada was established in 2010 as part of the activation of the United Nations Convention, on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The event emphasized that technology is pervasive in all private sector activities and is rooted in the Ministry of Transport and Communications strategy, under which the Center works.