JEDDAH — In solidarity with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, "Qaderoon" Business and Disability Network held a meeting for media personnel in cooperation with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting was to clarify the role of the media industry in empowering persons with disabilities and to present their social issues in a positive and effective way. Khalid Sindi, executive manager of Qaderoon, said the media has a big influence on society and that should include changing the stereotypes toward people with disabilities and shedding light on the barriers they face in their daily lives, instead of focusing on their disabilities. Sindi said the United Nations chose Dec. 3 of every year as the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, and it focuses on raising awareness and emphasizing the rights of persons with disabilities. "Therefore, we are here today in cooperation with our network member – Jeddah Chamber – to work in accordance with the Saudi 2030 Vision that stated that 'we will enable our people with disabilities in getting appropriate work opportunities and education that ensures their independence and inclusion as effective members of the community'. We will also provide all the tools needed to make it easier for them to achieve success." The meeting also included a presentation by trainer Khalid Al-Hajri and media member Lulwa Al-Abdullah on a new publication titled "Reporting on Disabilities: Media guidelines" that Qaderoon developed in cooperation with the International Labor Organization (ILO). The booklet mentions general guidelines that revolve around the importance of linking the issues of people with disabilities with their human rights; the use of positive descriptions of people with disabilities by the media; avoiding stereotypes that view people with disabilities as pitiful; the advocacy of equality through inclusion; and encouraging the removal of social and physical barriers surrounding them. Qaderoon said it was pleased with the engagement by the audience in launching its campaign on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which invites all society members to shed light on the obstacles faced by persons with disabilities in the community and at work, and to also advocate the removal of these barriers instead of focusing on their disabilities. Hasan Ibrahim Dahlan, acting secretary-general of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the chamber, through its social responsibility programs, always strives to participate in activities and partnerships that aim to enable persons with disabilities in the community. "Therefore, and for their international day, we emphasize our continuous efforts in providing work opportunities and easing their inclusion in the community in accordance with the Saudi 2030 Vision," Dahlan said.
