Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Day one of the Global Rehabilitation Conference 2024 in Abu Dhabi on Monday focused on advancing the drive for the inclusion of people of determination and developing public policies and institutional frameworks for inclusion.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, the conference started with a plenary session titled “Empowering Diversity: Inclusion, Employment, and Participation of People of Determination”.
Chaired by Abdullah Al Humaidan, ZHO Secretary General and Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa region at Rehabilitation International (RI), alongside Christoph Gutenbrunner, a Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Hannover Medical School in Germany, the session featured Gabriela Michetti, former Vice-President of Argentina; Dr. Annette Tabbara, Director-General, Federal Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs, Germany; Pauliina Lampinen, Chair of the Policy & Services Commission at Rehabilitation International (RI) in Finland; and Dr. Haifa Al Kaylani, President & Founder, Arab International Women’s Forum, Fellow of the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University, UK.
Michetti shared Argentina’s experience in this regard, noting that she and her team worked to ensure that policies for people of determination were integrated into all sectors, from education to public health. She said that policies must not remain on paper alone and they must be implemented concretely.
Michetti called for global cooperation and shared values to help build a more inclusive future for all, stressing the importance of recognising disability as an asset, not a limitation.
In her turn, Dr. Tabbara drew attention to the importance of rehabilitation systems in addressing global challenges, especially the shortage of skilled labour driven by demographic changes.
She said that the labour market in Germany shrank by 400,000 people last year due to ageing, with 42% leaving due to mental health issues.
Dr. Tabbara acknowledged that “modern and effective rehabilitation systems can be an important instrument” in addressing the growing labour shortages, stressing the potential for rehabilitation to extend workers’ participation in the labour market.
Moreover, she pointed out that Germany’s rehabilitation framework includes employment, social participation, and access to education.
Dr. Tabbara also called for “proactive services to reach out to the people affected,” highlighting the need to prioritise mental health, noting that “mental impairments often go unrecognised due to fear of stigmatisation”.
Reaffirming the significance of inclusive education and employment for people of determination, Lampinen said: “Without inclusive and equal opportunities in education, there cannot be an inclusive employment market.”
She highlighted the role of schools, teachers, and support systems in promoting this transition.
Lampinen also discussed how children, especially those with disabilities, learn valuable skills and social interaction in schools, noting: “In inclusive and equal settings, children and youth with disabilities learn to participate and feel that they belong.”
She underscored the need for professionals to gain knowledge on supporting families with children with disabilities and on inclusion and special education methodologies.
Lampinen also noted that with the right workplace conditions, people of determination can perform their tasks effectively. She asserted that “people with disabilities can work, can be productive, and have skills just like everyone else.”
For her part, Dr. Al Kaylani addressed the economic challenges faced by women of determination, stressing that “women with disabilities are often subjected to double discrimination due to their gender and disability”.
She added that “without women of all abilities playing their rightful role in the economy and in society, the Arab world cannot achieve its full potential”.
“According to UN Women data, women with disabilities are three times more likely to be denied healthcare, three times more likely to be illiterate, and two times less likely to be employed or use the internet,” she said, adding “there is much that needs to change”.
“When women with disabilities are economically empowered, they are able to support their families, invest in education, and extend opportunities for their children,” she said.
Dr. Al Kaylani stressed the importance of including women of determination in policy-making processes, noting “women with disabilities must meaningfully participate in policy consultations at national, regional, and international meetings.”
“Advocacy and support for these initiatives not only improve the lives of disabled women but also contribute to the overall prosperity and social and economic development of the entire region,” she added.
Speaking to Aletihad on the sidelines of the conference, Lampinen reiterated the role of inclusive education in schools for creating supportive working environments. She pointed out that learning from one another, embracing differences, and engaging in interaction are essential workplace skills.
Addressing the challenges faced by people of determination, she said: “Well, there are lots of obstacles, but if we start thinking differently and work our way around them, there are just as many opportunities as there are obstacles.”
When asked about the future of inclusion, Lampinen expressed optimism, saying: “Although change is happening slowly, we are moving in the right direction, and I am quite hopeful for the future.”
Discussing the steps needed to achieve this mission, Lampinen stressed that it is essential to understand “the social concept of disability and its interaction between the individual and society”.
“We have plenty of experts and methodologies in place, but we need to talk about it more and share experiences. That is how we will get it done, eventually.”
The conference, held under the theme “Work and Employment”, will continue until September 25 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi.
