In 2006, Qatar supported the UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, before signing it in 2008. Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Founder of Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW), also initiated Al Noor Center in 1998 and the Shafallah Center in 1999, establishing the Qatar Social Work Foundation as a civil society organization under which Al Noor and the Shafallah operate.
Qatari Law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. Among some of the rights and provisions mandated for persons with disabilities (including since 2012 those with autism) are:
- Rehabilitation Education
- Transportation
- Medical and social care
- Support services
- Access to public facilities
- Employment
The law requires that 2% of all jobs in government agencies and public institutions be set aside for disabled persons. Private businesses employing a minimum of 25 staff are also required to hire persons with disabilities.
Disability Population
The number of individuals with disabilities in Qatar makes up less than 0.50% of the total population, with congenital factors and disease being the most common cause for disabilities. As of 2022, more men are recorded as being disabled than women.
Support for autistic people and families in Qatar
All children with disabilities are offered free healthcare, as well as education intervention and assistance. However, a recent study highlighted that while Qatar is expanding the services that it offers for autistic people, there are not currently enough autism providers (Habayeb et al, 2022). The research also found that services mainly focussed on diagnosing and treating young children.
Renad Academy
The Renad Academy is a school that helps children with autism. It provides education and specialized services to students, and training and support to parents. The school presently serves students aged 3 to 10, but each successive year, it will add a grade level until students of all ages can be served.
Child Development Center
The CDC (Child Development Center) was established in 2013 and provides a network of internationally qualified and licensed professionals who offer child-centered and evidence-based early detection and intervention for children with developmental delays. The Autism program is an outpatient program started at the CDC and provides diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services to children with Autism or under Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Mind Institute
The Mind Institute is an independent multidisciplinary special needs centre for children and adults struggling with physical, mental and social challenges, with core focus on specialized therapy plans to successfully integrate young children into mainstream education.
Sensory Souk
The Sensory Souk is an online store based in Doha, Qatar. It provides therapy tools to families and professionals within the gulf region. Our products help special needs children learn and play. Sensory Souk was the first company in Qatar to provide professional therapy tools, developmental toys and specialist educational and therapy products to support additional learning needs. The company was co-founded by Raana Smith and Alison Saraf, both mothers of children with learning differences, who were inspired by their own experiences and struggles to source educational products in Qatar to support their children’s therapy and learning needs.
