Muscat – Special Olympics Oman in Dhofar Governorate opened a two-day forum dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities on Wednesday.

The event is taking place at Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah.

Aisha Omar, Chair of the forum’s Organising Committee, emphasised that Oman deeply values and supports people with disabilities, ensuring they receive adequate care, support and rehabilitation.

“The sultanate has established numerous specialised centres and associations for their education and rehabilitation. Moreover, it has framed laws, signed agreements and initiated programmes with the objective of integrating them into the wider community.”

She further highlighted the Ministry of Social Development’s commitment by offering various care programmes and services. The Vocational Evaluation and Rehabilitation Centre is one such initiative that empowers individuals with disabilities to lead their lives independently.

By the end of 2019, the centre had 79 individuals enrolled. Similarly, the Aman Rehabilitation Centre provides an array of services from health and rehabilitation to psychological support, she added. As of 2019, 523 children up to 15 years old, both boys and girls, were enrolled in this centre.

The inaugural day of the forum featured a dialogue session, two fine and vocational arts workshops led by experts, a visual presentation on mental disability, and an exhibition featuring artworks created by people with disabilities.