Muscat – Held under the patronage of Her Excellency Dr. Laila bint Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, the event emphasised equal access to education, employment, and social services, while unveiling partnerships and programmes designed to enhance skills, boost employability, and foster inclusion through innovative technologies.

Speaking on the occasion, Saeed bin Mohammed Al Badai, Director General of the Communication Training Institute, pointed out that the celebration of the Arab Deaf Week, which falls at the end of April every year, aims to empower and sustain this segment of the population.

He added that the institute has put forward numerous ideas and experiences to empower people with hearing disabilities and enable them to access jobs, education, and entrepreneurship. He highlighted the role of the private sector in supporting and trusting this segment of the population, as well as its contribution to the success of the programmes implemented by the institute.

He stated that the institute has enrolled a number of people with hearing disabilities in various educational and higher education institutions so that they can enjoy their right to education alongside their hearing peers. He emphasised the importance of families’ awareness on ways to deal with this group, and indicated that the institute has created programmes to help families.

He concluded by saying that the Institute seeks to serve the community, represented by the ‘Hear Me’ initiative for stutterers, where it trains them to overcome stuttering. There is also cooperation with numerous volunteer groups, charitable organizations, and Omani women’s associations to work together to enhance the role of people with hearing disabilities and integrate them into society.

During the ceremony, Israa bint Yousef Al Mazrouei, Social Investment Specialist at BP Oman, presented the ‘Sharah’ program for empowering people with hearing disabilities, which is one of the initiatives offered under the company’s social investment programmes – Oman for Social Investment.

She explained that the programme is the first of its kind in the region and was specifically designed to develop and enhance the skills of people with hearing disabilities in three main areas: Arabic, English, and computer skills.

Since its launch, the programme has benefited 40 job seekers with hearing disabilities, with 20 trainers being qualified through a training-of-trainers course. 10 job opportunities have already been provided.
The Communication and Training Institute signed a number of agreements with private sector institutions – Alizz Islamic Bank, Scientific College of Design, and Omantel – to serve people with hearing disabilities.