From Special Olympics medals to full employment rights, Sharjah’s disability empowerment model is inspiring global conversations ahead of the 2025 Inclusion Congress.
SHARJAH: In a region where inclusion is becoming a driving force for community development, Sharjah is setting global standards through its comprehensive support for people with intellectual disabilities. The emirate’s human-centred initiatives are gaining global attention, especially as it prepares to host the 2025 World Congress themed ‘We Are Inclusion’.
A standout story in this effort is that of Maryam Hassan Abdullah Shaheel Al Qahtani, a self-advocate and Special Olympics UAE athlete who has received international awards and serves as a teaching assistant at the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS). Beyond her professional achievements, she also competes in athletics and pursues photography, a passion that reflects her drive for creative expression and community involvement.
The Sharjah disability empowerment model is based on policies that promote equality, accessibility, and empowerment. At SCHS, Shaheel enjoys full employment rights on par with non-disabled staff and supports students in therapy and basic skill development. She credits the inclusive environment and continued support from leadership, including H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and H.E. Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, for her growth and confidence.
Sharjah’s preparation for the World Congress 2025, being hosted in the MENA region for the first time, underscores the significance of the Sharjah disability empowerment model. The event is organised in partnership with Inclusion International and will bring together self-advocates, policymakers, and global organisations to amplify the voices of people with intellectual disabilities.
Shaheel highlighted the congress theme, ‘We Are Inclusion’, as a pivotal opportunity for self-advocates to lead the dialogue, share their journeys, and impact decisions that shape inclusive policies. She says the event strengthens the role of people with intellectual disabilities in society and allows their stories to shape real change.
The success of this approach is further echoed in the story of 24-year-old Hamdan Mohammed Al Naqbi, whose journey with SCHS began in early childhood. His family ensured he was treated equally with his siblings and worked with SCHS Khorfakkan branch to build his capabilities. Today, Hamdan plays leadership roles and supervises peer activities in summer programmes, environmental events, and digital training.
His sister, Nadira Al Naqbi, shared how SCHS’s rehabilitation programmes helped Hamdan grow into a responsible, dependable family member. She also praised Sharjah’s institutions for championing inclusion and supporting the upcoming global event, a hallmark of the Sharjah disability empowerment model.
Since adopting self-advocacy as a core concept in 2009, SCHS has implemented IEPs, created advisory councils, and launched the Self-Advocacy Unit in 2022. The unit leads training, awareness campaigns, and local and global representation for people with intellectual disabilities.
With initiatives rooted in equality and sustainability, the Sharjah disability empowerment model has become a source of global inspiration—demonstrating how inclusion transforms communities, one empowered life at a time.
