Mosul municipality hosts event for International Day of Persons with Disabilities

NINEVEH — Mosul municipality organized an event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday to raise awareness about the challenges faced by this community and to emphasize their role in Iraqi society. The initiative aimed to highlight issues related to integration and seek solutions to ensure accessibility and empowerment for people with disabilities.

Participants urged both local and central governments to establish rehabilitation centers, enhance opportunities, and support individuals with disabilities in entering the workforce. The municipality announced its ongoing projects to improve mobility, including designated safe pathways for wheelchairs across the city.

Alaa Al-Haidar, media spokesperson for Mosul Municipality, explained that dialogue sessions during the event allowed the municipality to understand the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities.

He added, “The Mosul municipality had already implemented several projects for the disabled community, such as creating wheelchair-friendly paths in streets, parks, and recreational areas.” According to Al-Haidar, additional projects are planned for the near future.

Aya Sheet, a member of the disabled community, emphasized the urgent need for a government-supported rehabilitation center that offers comprehensive services, including schooling, literacy programs, and workshops to teach skills and crafts. These resources, she said, are essential for enabling individuals to enter the workforce.

She noted that special education classes in public schools are nearly non-existent, despite some initiatives by civil society organizations. However, Aya stated that these efforts often fail due to a lack of sustainability and attention.

Abdullah Najm Al-Sabawi, an imam and a member of the disabled community, called on both the government and society to provide greater support. He highlighted the creative potential within the disabled community and its ability to contribute to societal development when given the right opportunities.

He stressed the importance of psychological and motivational support, saying it outweighs financial assistance. “Disabilities do not define us as deficient; we possess hidden talents that, when recognized, can contribute significantly to society,” he said.