Sharjah sets roadmap for disability empowerment

The World Congress 2025 “We Are Inclusion” will be hosted in Sharjah from September 15 to 17, marking its debut in the MENA region. The three-day international event will convene global voices to shape the future of inclusion and empower persons with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The event will present a comprehensive roadmap across key pillars, highlighting the shift from community-based initiatives to actionable national policies. They encompass family care, education, health and health rights, employment and economic empowerment, self-advocacy, legal rights, and the role of sport, arts, and media as drivers of influence and empowerment.

The programme places strong emphasis on health as a cornerstone of inclusion and empowerment.

Education and empowerment: The education and empowerment pillar focuses on inclusive education in a rapidly changing world. It will explore the transition from segregated to inclusive schools, the development of easy-to-understand learning materials, and the impact of inclusion in post-secondary education.

The congress will examine pathways from education to the job market, highlight practical models of inclusive employment programmes, and emphasise the vital role of families and communities in fostering sustainable workplaces that offer equal opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities to grow, succeed, and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

The self-advocacy pillar highlights the power of self-advocacy as a catalyst for change. Sessions will focus on self-expression, recognising individual abilities, forming effective advocacy groups, and fostering collaboration across borders.