Hi Family Flavours family,
Did you know that December 3, 2014, was the International Day of People With Disability (IDPwD)?
This month, I had the chance to sit down with members of the Jasmine Society for Children With Down Syndrome’s Forum for
Young Adults. The Forum, a relatively new programme started by the Society, aims
to develop the abilities of young adults with Down Syndrome through educational,
awareness, athletic, and entertainment activities.
The Forum meets
Sunday through Thursday from nine to one o’clock, and each day features
different activities geared towards promoting the development of different skills. Led by Linda Imad Al-Din Jaber, a special education teacher with almost two decades of
experience in the field and across the Middle East, the Forum’s daily
attendance fluctuates somewhat, but Yara (28) and Samar (17), along with Osama
(21) and a few others, are all regulars.
During our conversation, we chat about music, which holds a special significance for many of my companions. With
characteristic eloquence and joy, Samar describes music as part of her dreams
and part of her identity. But, she doesn’t think she’d want to be a singer.
“I’d be a singer!” Osama exclaims, which surprises Jaber at first, perhaps
given Osama’s quiet nature. But then on second thought, she agrees he has a
very nice voice. Osama smiles quietly, perhaps imagining himself onstage
someday.
Inclusive
education and accessible employment are two of the major issues that all people
with disabilities face in Jordan, and there are numerous social and
infrastructural barriers to achieving this goal. A comprehensive legislative
framework exists in Jordan to try and secure these rights, but the gap between
the law and its successful implementation remains substantial.
While The
Jasmine Society is focused on early intervention and securing both the
readiness of children with Down Syndrome to enter mainstream schooling as well
as their right to do so, the Forum emerged out of the need to address the
educational, emotional and psychological needs of their older members. It is a place, one of too few, where people with Down Syndrome are appreciated
as individuals with personalities, talents and potential.
To read this article in full, please go to http://familyflavours.com/familyflavours/public/DefaultDetails.aspx?id=452&type=article
For more information on the Society, check out their facebook page @ www.facebook.com/yasmeen.jo
For more information on the rights of people with
disabilities in Jordan, check out the Higher Council For Affairs Of Persons With
Disabilities (HCD) @ http://hcd.gov.jo
To learn more about the IDPwD visit @www.un.org/disabilities