At the 18th World Congress in Sharjah, people with intellectual disabilities, self-advocates, families, and organisations from around the world came together to share ideas and plan for the future of inclusion.
The event, co-hosted with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, showed that support for inclusion is growing across the MENA region
For our MENA Regional Representatives, Chaica Al Qassimi and Mariette Ziade, the Congress was important.
“It was truly inspiring to have the World Congress organised in Sharjah, right in the heart of my beloved region,” said Mariette.
“We were all united by one powerful belief: We are inclusion. These words echoed across Expo Sharjah, capturing the spirit of unity that defined the event.”
Before, when attending events of people with disabilities, I used to hear more about the challenges. During the World Congress, I noticed a shift. Self-advocates were the leaders, the speakers, who were sharing their stories and many successes.
Chaica Al Qassimi, Regional Representative
Chaica said the Congress showed how much the movement has grown.
“Before, when attending events of people with disabilities, I used to hear more about the challenges. During the World Congress, I noticed a shift. Self-advocates were the leaders, the speakers, who were sharing their stories and many successes.”
Both Chaica and Mariette said it felt important to see and talk to people in person.
Mariette said, “What touched me most was seeing self-advocates, families, and community leaders come together to discuss inclusive education, employment, legal rights, and closing institutions.
“We also talked about how issues like climate change and gender equality connect with disability rights.”
For Chaica, the whole programme stood out, “the opening and closing plenaries, the media coverage, the different workshops and topics that I had the pleasure of taking part in, and even the little details like the relaxation room.”
We were all united by one powerful belief: We are inclusion.
Mariette Ziade, Regional Representative
Both spoke about the opportunities and challenges that remain.
Mariette said many schools are still not inclusive, teachers need more training. People with disabilities, especially women, often do not have good jobs and face discrimination.
“Conflicts and humanitarian crises have made exclusion worse,” she said. “I hope we can achieve stronger regional cooperation so education, employment, and humanitarian responses become truly inclusive.”
Chaica wants to see more self-advocates leading change.
Chaica said, “I want to see people with intellectual disabilities defend their rights more. And I want to see our communities, families, schools, workplaces, organisations, governments, and ministries take part in our movement.”
Both Mariette and Chaica are hopeful about the future.
“Across the region, dedicated individuals and organisations are working tirelessly to make inclusion a reality,” said Mariette. “The future of inclusion in MENA will depend on collaboration, persistence, and belief.”
Chaica’s message to other self-advocates is clear: “Keep doing what you are doing. Stay focused, keep training, practising, and fighting for your rights. Never give up.”
Their reflections show a region determined to turn inclusion from a goal into what Mariette called “a shared way of life.”