COMMUNITY HORIZONS NEED TO BE IMPROVED

study

Regional Perceptions and Determined Aspirations

conducted across

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco and Egypt

Aim

To provide an understanding of the regional public perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities and an understanding of the lives, aspirations and challenges of people with intellectual disabilities themselves.

top findings 1

Sentiments towards people with intellectual disabilities are largely positive through the community’s empathy, but this does not translate into action. 2 A need to broaden community horizons on the potential opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities away from a “special education system”. 3 There is an opportunity for empowering people with intellectual disabilities to improve interpersonal skills and ability to handle difficult situations. 4 Formal education is stronger in the GCC, however, a gap exists in non-Gulf countries in terms of education infrastructure. 5 Gulf countries are paving the way for a more receptive work environment for people with intellectual disabilities. 6

Health facilities are not seen as a major obstacle but there is still room for improvement especially in GCC countries. 7 Inclusion in sports is supported in theory, but in reality it is usually limited in and only within the intellectual disability community. 8

Sports are associated not only with social inclusion, but also with physical well-being and the enhancement of selfesteem. 9

There is an opportunity to improve various facilities in the community that would encourage further inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. 10 Social media and gamification have been identified as platforms to connect and engage with people with intellectual disabilities.