Wayana International Foundation for Awareness and Integration of Persons with Disabilities into Society organized an event entitled “Supporting the Implementation of Accessibility to Address Climate Change” on the occasion of the Arab Republic of Egypt’s hosting of the World Climate Summit (COP27) to highlight the effects of climate change on the lives of persons with various disabilities and the importance of making it accessible. Places and means of transportation for them, especially in emergencies.
Participating in attendance were Dr. Eman Karim, General Supervisor of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Ahmed Abdel Rahman, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Solidarity in Cairo, Mr. Ihab Mostafa, Director General of the Heliopolis Administration for Social Solidarity, Major General Zakaria Bakhit, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Abbad Al-Hadi Charity Association, and many gentlemen. Officials from the Rehabilitation Department of the Heliopolis Administration for Social Solidarity, experts and specialists with disabilities, facilitators, and workers in more than 25 nurseries and rehabilitation centers in the Heliopolis region.
During the event, the Wayana Foundation announced the launch of the “Take Action Wayana” initiative. The idea of the initiative is focused on developing community awareness in the Heliopolis area to provide spatial and technological availability and the necessary facilities in various buildings and apply the engineering code in the area to be a model area prepared and friendly for people with disabilities to ensure their movement. They can move independently and safely and enjoy all services on an equal basis with others. Focusing on removing all environmental and physical barriers in front of persons with disabilities, as stipulated in the Egyptian Constitution and Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities No. 10 of 2018.
In her speech about the initiative, Ms. Yusriya Abu Zaid, Executive Director of the Wayana Foundation, said: The Wayana Foundation was keen to include the idea of the initiative in its five-year strategy 2023-2027 and to start it from now in conjunction with the World Climate Change Conference so that we can participate in sincere national efforts to confront climate change.
She called the community in the Heliopolis region to participate in the Take Action Wayana initiative, to be the first urban area to confront climate change in Egypt, with the participation of all and for everyone, without discrimination, and to be an area prepared and available for movement and access for people with disabilities.
In his speech, Dr. Ahmed Abdel Rahman praised the active role of the Wayana Foundation in developing awareness of disability issues and the idea of the initiative, stressing the need for all national institutions to work to activate the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Law, including accessibility, and that the Take Action Wayana initiative was very expressive, beginning with the choice of the name as an invitation to participate. Everyone will play an effective role in supporting and promoting the right to safe access, stressing his participation and support for the initiative, and he will communicate with the executive authorities in the Heliopolis neighborhood to support and overcome difficulties to achieve the desired goals of the initiative.
In her speech, Dr. Iman Karim also expressed her appreciation for the efforts of the Weana Foundation, which encourages young people and women with disabilities to participate in constructive ideas that contribute to improving the conditions of people with disabilities. In her speech, she pointed out the need for cooperation in implementing projects that limit the effects of climate change and activating the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all plans and programs concerned with confronting the effects of climate change as major partners.
The program included a symposium entitled “Developing Social Skills in Children” within the activities of the project “Raising the Capabilities of Workers in Nurseries, Rehabilitation Centers, and Early Intervention Centers affiliated with the Ministry of Social Solidarity,” which is implemented by the Wayana Foundation in cooperation with the Heliopolis Administration for Social Solidarity, to achieve sustainable development and establish inclusive education within Targeted nurseries.
During the event, the Wayana Foundation distributed many wheelchairs and white canes as part of the Foundation’s plan to support independent living for people with disabilities coinciding with the activities of World White Cane Day.
In conclusion, Mrs. Yusriya Abu Zeid presented a certificate of appreciation and a shield from the Weyana Foundation to Dr. Eman Karim, General Supervisor of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, and Dr. Ahmed Abdel Rahman, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Solidarity in Cairo, in appreciation of their efforts and support for disability issues.
