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Workshop on Accessibility
Doha, Speech of the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability Ladies and Gentlemen Allow me to begin by congratulating the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and the Division for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities in the Council, for their great and distinguished efforts in trying to translate the philosophy and culture of universal conventions and treaties into programmes and project in the areas of awareness raising, medical care, rehabilitation, education and employment, income maintenance and other areas, which have witnessed developments in vision, attention and achievements. I would also like to compliment the initiative and entrepreneurial spirit that many of the institutions in Qatar have exhibited in all areas and domains; achievements which would not have been possible without the creative leadership of His Highness the Emir and the determination and commitment of Her Highness Sheikha Moza al Misnad, God keep them both. The work towards making Doha a barrier-free city, and the attempt at implementing measures leading to accessibility for persons with disabilities to enable them to participate fully in all aspects of life, is a pioneering and unprecedented step in our part of the world. A step inspired by the work spirit of the Qatari society and translates the vision of its leadership in their race with time and complements the programmes of development and construction that Doha and other cities in Qatar have witnessed. Launching this programme by the Supreme Council and under the patronage of her Royal Highness, Sheikha Moza, motivated by the philosophy and principles of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention which holds the answers to the challenges faced by persons with disabilities; and to move in responding to those challenges away from the charity model to the rights model. Ladies and Gentlemen Empowering persons with disabilities by providing them with accessibility will not become a reality just by talking about it, or restating its importance, or convincing persons with disabilities that there are intentions and plans and efforts being made towards that. It will be accomplished when we leave the realm of talk to the realm of application. Accessibility is a right upon which many other rights for persons with disabilities are dependent. Implementing it requires the implementation of tens of procedures and measures aimed at re-engineering the environment and restructuring it in ways that suit their needs and provide them the opportunity to participate in, interact with and enjoy the physical environment. Achieving accessibility in its physical sense therefore requires technological and architectural knowledge and expertise applied to the built environment and the public spaces. Achieving accessibility in its informational sense means providing persons with disabilities with the necessary information to navigate and interact with their environment. Information should be provided in manners and formats accessible to blind and deaf persons and persons with intellectual disabilities. Throughout the past four years I have worked on trying to put together a procedural manual that would help countries and governments identify the measures that need to be implemented to achieve equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities. We have been able, through our research, to identify 324 measures if applied in full would result in the full implementation of the Standard Rules. Among the 324 measures, 39 were identified as pertaining specifically to accessibility, as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen, Before ending my contribution, I would like to welcome Michael Fox, member of the United Nations Panel of Experts which supports and guides the work of the Special Rapporteur, and President of Rehabilitation International. Dr. Fox promised three years ago in his acceptance speech of the presidency of RI, a paradigm shift in looking at the concept and practice of rehabilitation, and in the direction that the organization’s work will take in serving the entire world. And here he is today, keeping his promise by coming here to lend us his expertise and his knowledge. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to the family of the Council for adopting this initiative and to the women who head this pioneering programme. I would like to salute their resolve and determination to make accessibility in Qatar a reality and to make Qatar an example to be emulated in the area of accessibility, as it is an example in the areas of education, sports, civil aviation, and economic growth, and many other domains. I thank you once again and wish all the success to this program in reaching its goals and serving our country under the leadership of His Highness and his Heir Apparent. Hissa Al Thani
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