Jeddah witnessed a significant social and developmental event as the Jeddah Municipality launched the fourth edition of the “Jeddah Can Do It” forum. This important event was held under the patronage of His Excellency the Mayor of Jeddah, Mr. Saleh bin Ali Al-Turki, and in the presence of his deputy, Engineer Ali bin Mohammed Al-Qarni, at the “Laylati” hall in Jeddah, amidst a notable turnout of interested parties and specialists.
Strategic partnership to empower people with disabilities
The forum, organized in fruitful cooperation with the “Qaderoon” Association for Empowering and Rehabilitating People with Disabilities, aims to highlight the importance of providing an inclusive and sustainable environment in the municipality's facilities and the city in general. This partnership aims to effectively integrate people with disabilities into society and remove all obstacles they may face, whether in the workplace or in public life.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This forum is not a fleeting event, but rather an integral part of the developmental movement underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030. The Vision places great emphasis on empowering people with disabilities, transforming them from groups solely in need of care into productive and active members of society. National initiatives, such as the Quality of Life Program, are working to make the infrastructure of Saudi cities accessible to all, a goal that the Jeddah Municipality strives to achieve by making the "Bride of the Red Sea" a model to be emulated in implementing universal accessibility standards.
Applying universal access standards
In a statement regarding the forum's objectives, Engineer Hattan bin Hashem Hamouda, Director General of Corporate Social Responsibility at the Jeddah Municipality, explained that the primary focus is on implementing "universal accessibility" standards in facilities. This approach aims to ensure that people with disabilities can access all services and facilities independently and with dignity. He also noted that the forum seeks to raise community awareness and encourage both the public and private sectors to adopt these standards. Awards and certificates of appreciation will be presented to facilities that successfully implement and excel in these requirements.
Accompanying events and exchange of experiences
The forum was not limited to protocol; it included a rich program of dialogue sessions and open discussions with a select group of speakers specializing in disability, rehabilitation, and architecture. These sessions addressed current challenges and innovative solutions for integrating people with disabilities. Concurrently, an exhibition was held, featuring numerous specialized associations and centers. This provided an opportunity to exchange expertise and showcase the latest technologies and services offered to this important segment of society, reflecting the integrated efforts of the non-profit and governmental sectors in serving the community.
