2-pronged strategy to empower special needs people

Saudi Gazette report Riyadh — The Ministry of Labor and Social Development has decided to launch a two-pronged strategy to empower special needs people. Minister of Labor and Social Development Mufarrej Al-Haqabani chaired the second meeting of steering committee on the national strategy for people with special needs in the Kingdom here recently. The meeting addressed a number of pressing issues for special needs people and discussed major challenges faced by them. The first phase of the two-pronged strategy will assess current situation and international experiences. A number of workshops will be conducted, meetings with officials of agencies concerned will take place, and survey flyers will be distributed to special needs people and their families. The second phase will lay out the operating model, financial aspects and action plan. The strategy will set the wheels in motion through health care and rehabilitative services, training and education programs and creating a disability-friendly society that ensures full accessibility and contributes to the economic stability and sustainability. It will protect the rights of special needs people, maintain social welfare and secure a decent life for them.