Laura Bush has facilitated in bringing the issue of breast cancer and a greater awareness of the disease to the forefront of Saudi society. Another issue which needs further notice and action is also the plight and facilities of handicapped in Saudi Arabia. I am pleased to say that Saudi Television routinely has programs on both its Arabic and English language stations discussing those with disabilities, handicaps and what kind of treatment and facilities are available. However if one is in the Kingdom and takes a general look around, one will see little evidence of having yet reached a “handicapped friendly environment.” In the States and other parts of the world one has become accustomed and perhaps immune to knowing there will be handicapped entrances, ramps, special parking and other provisions to make life easier for those who need the extra assistance to be mobile and get around. One will routinely see individuals in the Kingdom who are in a wheelchair or perhaps have braces or use crutches but the handicapped ramps and special parking places are not as predominant – yet. I say yet as I am confident this will be changed and likely sooner than other things which need to be changed in the Kingdom.
On the other hand, while one sees forward progress for those who are mobilely (is that an actual word?) disadvantaged, there are still stigmas attached to other types of “handicapped” such as those with learning disabilities, special needs and impairments. More facilities and support groups need to be established to help individuals and families in dealing with these needs and circumstances. Sadly some families (not all) will keep their special needs child away from public view as they feel he or she brings shame down upon the rest of the family. In some of these families eyes, the condition or impairment is viewed as a taint or damaging to the family and/or tribe. These are biases and misperceptions that need to be overcome and the sooner the better.
Saudi Arabia does participate and engaged with special Olympics http://www.somena.org/showpage.aspx?PID=85 which is good. There is also the Saudi Sports Federation for Special Needs http://www.sns.org.sa/ What I have discovered though are a lack of support groups and facilities for day-to-day life and challenges.
In doing a google search on special needs support groups Saudi Arabia, here is the best search result:
1 Epilepsy Support & Information Centre (ESIC)
Community volunteer group affiliated with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Programme at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh; comprises volunteers & medical professionals; provides support, information etc
2 Jeddah Institute for Speech & Hearing (JISH)
Non-profit organisation devoted to speech-language & hearing service delivery; based in Jeddah; activities: clinical services, research in communication sciences, providing education for professionals in speech-language pathology etc
Centre for children with communication disorders in Al Khobar; departments: consultative ENT clinic, psychological therapy & assessment unit, auditory & speech therapy unit, rehabilitation section, support services etc
4 Saudi Sports Federation for Special Needs
Web site of the federation; based in Riyadh
Sports Organisations Special Needs
I am sure that there are parents who would welcome the opportunity to meet and talk with other parents facing the same challenges…at least this is typical from a western cultural perspective. It occurs to me that the lack of such groups in the Kingdom may also be related to the still-existing cultural perception that special needs can be viewed as an unattractive stigma.
Filed under: Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi education
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Dear,
One special problem in relation to family view of their handicapped children, is that they might affect the marriage of their doughters. Arranged marriages are the most common in Saudi Arabia. During the process of which, special attention is paid to the health of the other family members. It is sad, I know, especially when the handicap is not an inherited trait. However, it is one of the traditions that need to be altered in order to correct the general view of handicapped people.
keep on the good stuff.
And welcome to our “special” country.
regards.
Accord,
Thanks for your comment and welcome to my blog!
On a medical note, I am glad that the Kingdom has engaged couples taking varoius blood tests to ensure there are no “incompatible” genetic traits due to intermarriages between families.
I am very pleased to be in the Special Kingdom and am happy to state that I have been made very warmly welcomed here!
The lack of interest in special needs and handicap extends to the Saudi facilities here in the USA.
At the Saudi Embassy there is no ramp for people in wheelchairs or with walkers to access the building. My mother in law uses both a wheel chair and a walker, depending on how well she is doing. This eseentially means she cannot even visit her own Embassy. Sad.
PS, what do you know about services in the Kingdom for children with Autism?
PSS……..I see you are missing one great blog on your blogroll. She is an American married to a Saudi living in Saudi and writes some great stuff:
http://nzinghas.blogspot.com/
Thanks for all of your comments.
I am surprised to hear that the Saudi Embassy in WDC does not have handicapped facilities. Have you specifically asked? I can understand that they may only have one entrance geared for handicapped but surprised to hear that instead there are none?!
I have not heard of any services per se for children with autism although I am aware of specialists who are treating children with ADD.
And lastly, last time I had tried the recommended blog it did not allow me to view so I did not include it on my blogroll. I’ll try again and if I can view it, then I am always happy to add great blogs about Saudi Arabia to my blogroll.
The front entrance to the Saudi Embassy requires one to negotiate a set of about a dozen steps. This is the entrance through which normal Saudi citizens are requied to enter.
In my first visit to the Embassy I entered through the back entrance which is reserved for Embassy employees and VIPs. I honestly cannot remember if I had to use steps or not. I believe there was a few, but in any case, “regular” Saudis cannot use this point of access.
As an Embassy, it is exempt from the national legislation that requires building to be handicap accessable.
FYI: I asked around and have been told there is in fact a handicapped entrance for the embassy but you may need to have to ask to use it.
Handicapped in Saudi is a sad story..
Im a medical doctor and had worked with different patients, some with special needs..
Even in the hospital when we try to teach families on how to care for their disabled or try to council them, some, not all, but most, dont want to hear about it.. they want the hospital to admit the patient and leave the burden.. I know not every body are like that, and I admit the resources are still limited and we have a long way to go.. but still its a team effort.. even for their physical therapy, they are reluctant to come.. they only want to bring them when they are sick.. and this extends to even chronic diseases.. I was told several times by patients when the treatment only needs a little active part by them without a medicine needed to be given, that I dont know my medicines thats why I didn’t give them anything..and what kind of ——— Im trying to tell them to do..
We need to talk about it more and maybe all the time, thats what we need in-order for things to change but because a lot of times it falls on deaf ears some enthusiastic people to the cause lose interest..
I believe very much in health education and part of it is regarding different handicaps ( physical, psychological..) as a society that is very privet regarding every entity in their lives.. we need to push more ..I know..
All I can say is to keep talking till it gets through.. there is improvement, as doctors and hospitals are trying but they cant do it alone they need also the media to talk about it so people listen over and over again till it gets through..and they accept it as a normal part in our lives not as something to be ashamed of or need to hide it.. and start asking for their needs to be meet.. in every building and every restaurant and sidewalk..
Thanks for posting this blog entery..
Thank you so much Lilliy and I am very pleased to have someone with your professional expertise as well as personal first hand experience commenting on this subject.
Like I mentioned in my posting, Saudi television 2 had some candid discussions on their medically oriented talk show program about the disabled and special needs. More and more programs like these, inshallah, will open the eyes –and the minds– of the people.
that is quite shocking and must be so upsetting and frustrating for the parents.
i have a deaf student in my class here (in the UK) and he is supported by using digital hearing aids connected to a digital microphone that the teacher wears, a separate notetaker who goes with him to all his lessons to take notes electronically and extra time in the exam if he needs it!
i suppose we just take these things for granted. and take for granted the belief that thessse children deserve equal access to education.
Care and facilities for people with disabilities is a challenge everywhere. I live in al-Khobar (I’m Australian) and since moving here 3 years ago, I have read everything I can in order to learn more about KSA. Sometimes, the contradiction between what you read and what you see makes you laugh and other times it makes you cry. I remember one day, reading an article about the powers-that-be declaring that there was nowhere better in the world to be disabled than Saudi Arabia. On the same afternoon, we passed a clearly disabled man, sitting in the dust, begging outside one of the large stores here. On the other hand, a 7 year old autistic girl just starved to death in Australia. She had been locked in a urine/faeces stained room with a boarded up window almost her entire life. She had slipped through the cracks in a country with a normally quite competent and wide reaching disability and child protection service. Clearly, we all have a lot to learn. That said, I would hate to have to be out and about in al-Khobar if I was the slightest bit mobility challenged. Its a nightmare here.
Kathyrn,
You summed it up well with the contrasts and contradications the world over. On one hand, unlike much of the western world, there are very few retirement homes or nursing homes in the Kingdom as families are quite good here at taking care of the elderly. But at the same time, on the order of providing for the disabled and handicapped, the associated stigmas need to be overcome for progress to move forward.
I’m so mad, internet gremlins ate my comment!!!
i commented the day after you originally made this post thanking you for the information, both online and off. When I checked back to see how the discussion progressed, I wasn’t there:-(Trust me, I saw this post immediately!
grrrrr.
That is so frustrating! I think we may be having internet problems in general here in the Kingdom. Even outside of blogs, it seems only half of my emails are getting through these days. Most annoying.
And I realize it is not always easy to reconstruct a comment. And always glad to be of assist!
good
Can some one guide me regarding Autism care near Ran Tanura.I will be moving there this month and my son need special assistance.
Zaryab,
If I hear of a specific facility near Ran Tanura I will let you know. Hopefully someone else who also follows this blog may have some more information too. Is it possible to ask wherever your son is presently being treated if they can make a referral or recommendation?
Regards,
Carol
Anyone with special needs info for Khobar/Dammam area……let me know….
email is birch bark canoe AT gmail . com (omit the spaces and add the @ sign). Trying to avoid spam!
Sue
I am father of six years old baby girl down syndromes needs special school.
Looking foward for help and advise.
Amir Raza
Al Khobar
K.S.A.
Syed Amir Raza,
If you view the comment above yours, it looks like perhaps Sue can give you some guidance.
Sue — thanks so much for your response.
Regards,
Carol
Hi. I’m doing research for a proposed special needs center here in Kuwait. Have you come across a center in Jeddah called Al Own (or similar spelling)?
Love you blog!
Thanks and best wishes,
DG
DG,
Welcome to the blog. I’m not familar or awre of such a center but I do have some regulars from Jeddah that may be in a better position to respond.
Regards,
Carol
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am professional with 11 years working experience for the welfare and rehabilitation of the adults with mental retardation.
If there is any vacancy for me.
Please contact
Abdul Malik
India
[...] Arabia is not yet widely known for attending to those with special needs. Therefore, it was a pleasure to see this article in the 18 July edition of the Saudi Gazette on [...]
i m a handicapped person suffering from polio in my left leg .
i m married person of age 30 yrs.
on 90 digree angle i can stand on my leg but when i stand straight i cant put any waight on that leg i can feel everything on my legeven any small touch of ant
i think my leg will be all right if a good doctor advice me medicine and oil for it
i can arrange if somebody helps me
i have three daughters and i think that i can do something for them
my daughters also wants to see me walking
please help me
after that ALLAH is a big boss
allahh haaffiz