Under the supervision of the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Professor Dr. Sarmed H. Kathem Alkhateeb, the respected Dean of the University Psychological Counseling Unit, in collaboration with the Volunteer Work Unit, organized an awareness seminar entitled “From Awareness to Empowerment: Blind Individuals Between Rights and Responsibilities,” delivered by Dr. Hadeel Khair Allah Ali Al-Shammari, Vice President of Al-Basira Cultural Organization for the Care of the Blind.
The seminar aimed to highlight the reality of blind individuals and explore ways to support and empower them within society, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 4, which focuses on quality education, and Goal 10, aimed at reducing inequalities, through promoting the empowerment and social inclusion of blind individuals.
The seminar included two main topics; the first part addressed the common perceptions and misconceptions about blind individuals, where several incorrect beliefs were clarified, emphasizing that blind persons are fully capable of learning, working, and achieving creativity when provided with a supportive environment and adequate opportunities. It also highlighted the importance of respectful humanitarian interaction with blind individuals and protecting their rights and independence. The second part focused on modern assistive technologies for the visually impaired, presenting an advanced electronic device that facilitates reading, writing, and taking examinations with ease through an electronic flash-based system containing exam questions. This contributes to enhancing academic independence and more effective educational empowerment. The seminar also emphasized the importance of integrating blind individuals into education, employment, and community activities, as well as the role of educational and humanitarian institutions in providing both psychological and technical support.
In conclusion, the Dean presented a voluntary donation to the head of the organization in support of the Al-Basira Organization, reaffirming the college’s humanitarian commitment to initiatives aimed at improving the lives of visually impaired individuals and strengthening their active role in society. The head of the organization expressed gratitude and appreciation for this initiative, commending the dean’s continuous support for humanitarian efforts and for this important segment of society.
