Experts stressed that genuine progress in supporting persons with intellectual disabilities is not measured by the quantity of tools or therapy sessions, but by the extent to which individuals are empowered to communicate, make decisions, and lead more independent, fulfilling lives through assistive technologies. A central takeaway from the session “Talking, Participating, Making Difference: Ways of Giving Good Support,” held on the inaugural day of the World Congress 2025 “We Are Inclusion,” which continues until September 17 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

 

The session featured Anwar Obeid, a speech and language specialist and Head of the Severe Disabilities Centre at Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Camille Matta, assistive technology expert and Managing Director of Consort World, and 25-year-old self-advocate Khawla Jodr.

 

During the session, Obeid emphasised that effective support for persons with intellectual disabilities takes time and gradual steps but ultimately enables individuals to express themselves and live more independently. She highlighted the case of self-advocate Khawla Jodr, who co-authored an article about a day in her life published in a German newspaper and took a selfie independently for the first time.

 

Obeid stressed that good support must be human-centred, empowering, consistent, flexible, and grounded in collaboration, appropriate tools, sustainable funding, respectful relationships, and evidence-based practices.

 

She outlined key indicators of success including the ability of self-advocates to make decisions, be heard, and access ongoing support. Institutional indicators include inclusion, autonomy, accessibility, adequate resources, opportunities for team development, and strong networks with other organisations and decision-makers.


For his part, Camille Matta stressed that good support can take many forms, including high-tech solutions, low-tech tools, and non-technological methods. He stressed the importance of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which enables persons with intellectual disabilities to communicate beyond speech through writing, drawing, pointing to symbols or images, as well as movement, eye gaze, touch, sounds, body language, facial expressions, and variations in vocal tone.


He noted that assistive technologies, whether advanced or simple, provide essential pathways for self-expression and social participation. By expanding communication options, these tools help individuals overcome barriers, exercise autonomy, and engage more fully in their communities.


During the session, Khawla Jodr, a student at Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, shared her personal journey of overcoming challenges despite the severity of her disability. She expressed her happiness in participating using an eye-gaze assistive device, which enables her to communicate and control images with her eyes.


The World Congress 2025 "We Are Inclusion" continues in Sharjah until September 17, bringing together more than 500 participants from 74 countries, including 152 speakers representing 160 organisations, across 59 parallel sessions. Held for the first time in the MENA region and North Africa, the Congress is a leading global platform for sharing best practices and advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities. It is co-organised by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Inclusion International, and in strategic partnership with the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.