New centre for diff-abled planned

A new specially-equipped centre will be built by the authorities in the Kingdom, which will provide comprehensive care for the different-abled individuals here. It is learnt that the centre will offer nine different types of services to the diff-abled individuals. The centre will be built to provide a comprehensive service to the disabled, Social Development Ministry sources said.

This comes as part of a nationwide effort to improve the welfare of the special needs community. As part of the initiative a key park in the southern region has been equipped with special facilities to inclusive to special needs. With the intent of enriching the lives of the special needs population in the Kingdom, the Southern Municipality has taken measures to make Khalifa public park in Riffa inclusive. “The move comes with our belief that people with special needs are an important part of Bahraini society and the too have recreational needs that they want to experience,” the municipality stated.

The buildings in the park are made to be inclusive and permitting easy access to people with special needs, while parking are also designed to be easily available to them. “Certain areas have been selected to install sporting and game facilities for the special needs. This will be of great benefit to them as well. This includes a basketball court that is not too high.” A snake and ladder ground which would allow access to wheelchairs would also be built in the future, the municipality announced. Bahrain has been taking many steps to empower the special needs society.

Earlier it emerged that societies and associations catering to the special needs population may not have to pay electricity and water bills if a new proposal gets approved. The proposal has been made by a group of parliamentarians in attempt to erase the burden of electricity and water bills for societies that support differently-abled individuals. According to the proposal, the societies should be completely exempted from paying the utility bills. “The welfare of the special needs population of the country is of great interest to the Kingdom. Enabling their care could mean supporting the societies that support the disabled,” the explanatory note of the proposal mentioned.