Kuwait: Jasour – News Desk
The Chairman of the Municipal Council, Abdullah Al-Muhri, affirmed that Kuwait has made significant strides in empowering special needs individuals due to the efforts exerted by government agencies in collaboration with civil society institutions. These efforts have successfully broken social barriers, improved access to essential services and public facilities, and enhanced buildings in Kuwait with services beneficial to them.
Al-Muhri said in a special session held by the Municipal Council under the slogan “Built Environment to Empower the Integration of Special Needs into Society,” to discuss proposals and requirements related to this group, considering them as key stakeholders in all civil societies: “The Municipal Council has been keen to play its role towards our brothers and sisters with special needs.
It has formed a temporary committee consisting of five members to enhance cooperation with all relevant entities through periodic workshops to identify the needs of special needs individuals and ways to respond to them.”
Among Kuwait’s most notable achievements in enhancing the rights of special needs individuals is the adoption of the new Kuwaiti Building Code, which focuses on easy access to buildings and facilities. Moreover, diligent efforts are underway to issue new legislation for special needs individuals, which will enhance their rights and ensure equality and integration into society.
He added, “Special needs individuals have the right to develop their skills and meet their needs without discrimination between them and others. They have the will to become productive members of their community. We must increase their protection, receive their suggestions and complaints, and work immediately to solve them.”
He concluded, “Certainly, we in the Municipal Council are doing our utmost to fulfill our duty towards special needs individuals and cooperate with ministries and government institutions to meet all their needs.”
For her part, the Chairperson of the Special Needs Committee in the Municipal Council, Eng. Farah Al-Roumi, said that holding this session coincides with the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Special Needs, which was on December 2nd. She stated, “I am pleased to confirm the Municipal Council’s approval of the Kuwait Accessibility Code according to universal design, which is one of the most significant achievements of the Kuwait Vision 2035 project for special needs individuals.
This code aims to transform the built environment from architectural and structural designs into a qualified and supportive environment for special needs individuals, enhancing their integration into various life and community activities. This is why this special session was called under the slogan ‘Built Environment to Empower the Integration of Special Needs into Society,’ to discuss the requirements for achieving this integration from all related persons and unify efforts and share expertise to achieve the best desired results from this code.”
“We would like to emphasize that continued cooperation between us will have a direct impact on maximizing the results that benefit the facilitation of integrating special needs individuals, as it contributes to achieving a sustainable environment to complement the efforts made in this regard,” she added.
