The Shafallah Center, or Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, is a Qatar-based organization founded in 1999 for the welfare of people with intellectual disabilities, mainly autism spectrum disorders.[1] The center provides health services and special care.[2] Additionally, Shafallah has education centers, and signs agreements with local firms in order to help its graduates secure jobs.[3]
History edit
Shafallah Center was established in 1999.[4]
Activities edit
An annual forum focusing on global issues affecting people with disabilities is organized by the Shafallah Center. Called the Annual Shafallah Forum, topics of discussion at the forum include the difficulties faced by refugees and children with autism spectrum disorders in developing countries, and methods to alleviate these difficulties. Several world leaders have attended past editions.[5]
Autism research is conducted at the organization's Medical Genetic Center. Shafallah has also conducted genome sequencing as a research tool on a local scale.[6]
In October 2015, Shafallah saw its first-ever batch of students graduate. The graduation class had 189 students.[3]
Partnerships edit
Shafallah Center is partnered with American organization Autism Speaks.[2] In December 2014, Shafallah signed an agreement with Qatar Airways in order to provide preferential employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual abilities. This resulted in a minimum of 25 members of Shafallah being employed by the airline.[7]
References edit
- ^ Jassim Mater (15 April 2014). "Tackling autism in the Middle East". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ a b "Qatar Airways to Employ Young People With Autism". Autism Speaks. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ a b "HH Sheikha Moza Witnesses Shafallah Center Graduation Ceremony". Qatar News Agency. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "'Qatar needs media training on special needs'". Doha Centre for Media Freedom. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "Qatar — The Fifth International Shafallah Forum". Ability Magazine. 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "Shafallah to conduct autism research on families in Qatar as part of international study". Doha News. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "QA recruits Shafallah Center members". The Peninsula. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2015.