AI for Accessibility and Inclusion

A special thanks to:

Abdulla Taleb

Abdullah Taleb, a deaf individual working at the Shafallah Center, is active on social media and participates in various events, including the 2022 World Cup. He uses sign language to share information about events across Qatar, helping the deaf community stay informed. Abdullah enjoys interacting with hearing individuals and promotes sign language through his social media accounts, fostering communication between the two communities.

Aisha Tanvir

Aisha Tanvir is an accessibility advocate and science communicator at Qatar Foundation. She actively volunteers within the Ability Friendly Program and other community initiatives, promoting inclusion and accessibility.

Camilla Hadi Chaudhary

Camilla Hadi Chaudhary is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, and a Cambridge Trust and King’s College Xu Zhimo Scholar. Her research focuses on how inclusion is conceptualized in Pakistan’s national education system, emphasizing education policy and school leadership. Camilla advocates for equity and inclusion in education, aiming for transformative educational experiences for all.

Eman Al-Kuwari

Eman Al-Kuwari is the Director of the Digital Innovation Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar. She leads the country's largest digital transformation program, TASMU Smart Qatar, fostering a culture of innovation and enhancing productivity across various sectors. Eman is committed to driving digital innovation and building capacity within the government and entrepreneurial communities.

Faisal Koji

Faisal Koji is the Chairman of the Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Blind and a member of the Accessibility Forum in the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, which monitored and evaluated persons with disabilities' access at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. He holds a master’s degree in private law from Qatar University and is recognized as one of the most influential professionals in the social responsibility space.

Ghanimeh El-Taweel

Ghanimeh El-Taweel is an accessibility advocate and disability activist, specializing as an audiovisual translator and researcher. Her PhD research focuses on disability rights in the Arab world and the services available to persons with disabilities. She is dedicated to improving accessibility and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities through her academic and professional work.

Dr. Hayat Al Heji

Dr. Hayat Al Heji is a consultant at Al-Noor Center for the Blind, where she has played key roles, including Managing Director from 2008 to 2014 and Director from 2007 to 2008. She holds a Doctorate in Education from Saint Joseph's University and a Master's in Elementary and Special Education. Dr. Heji is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of visually impaired individuals through her work and expertise in the educational field.

Dr. Josélia Neves

Dr. Josélia Neves is a global thought leader and practitioner in the field of translation and interpreting. She served as the Associate Dean for Social Engagement and Access and a Professor at the Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII) and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). Her work continues to focus on enhancing social engagement and access through innovative translation practices.

Dr. Khaled Al Nuaimi

Dr. Khaled Al Nuaimi is the Chairman of the Arab Union for the Blind and a prominent advocate for disability rights. He has held numerous leadership positions in organizations dedicated to disability rights and human development. Dr. Al Nuaimi's work focuses on promoting the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities across the Arab region.

Leyla Mroueh

As the former Public Affairs Manager for Sasol Middle East and India, Leyla was responsible for driving CSR initiatives and partnerships at Sasol in Qatar, in collaboration with ORYX GTL PR & Communications team. A neurodiverse and dyslexic thinker, Leyla advocates for building equitable and inclusive societies through collaboration across sectors and communities.

Maryam Al-Sulaiti

Maryam Al Sulaiti is an Accessible Qatar Ambassador and advocate, dedicated to promoting accessibility and inclusion. As a mother of children with special needs, she brings a personal and passionate perspective to her advocacy work, striving to create a more inclusive society for all.

Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes is the Executive Director of Special Schools & SEN Services at Qatar Foundation. With a 42-year career in special education and disability services, Mark has worked in government, private, and charitable sectors. He advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities and supports high-quality education for all children.

Dr. Maamar Zakaria

Dr. Maamar Zakaria is the Dean and a Professor at the College of Computing and Information Technology at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. His research interests include service computing, cloud/edge computing, and the Internet of (cognitive) Things. Dr. Zakaria has published extensively and serves on various international conference committees and journal editorial boards.

Dr. Mohamed Khribi

Dr. Mohamed Khribi is the Head of Training at Mada Assistive Technology Center in Qatar, with over 22 years of experience in ICT in education. He is an advocate for educational technology and inclusive digital education. Dr. Khribi has led innovative projects to enhance access to technology-enhanced learning opportunities and collaborates with organisations like ALECSO and UNESCO.

Nardine Gerges

Nardine Gerges is a communications and social impact thought leader within Qatar Foundation and is a member of the QF Accessibility Task Force Committee. She champions accessibility and advocates for a more inclusive world throughout her design and communication work.

Nasreen Shabir

Nasreen Shabir is the founder and Director of Step by Step Centre for persons with disabilities advocating for special needs education and inclusion. Under her leadership, the center has pioneered initiatives like 'Hirfa' – Arts and Gifts Production Unit and Step by Step Café, promoting employment opportunities and independence for people with diverse needs. Nasreen is dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable society.

Olcay B Connor

Olcay B Connor is the manager of the Step by Step Centre for persons with disabilities with almost 20 years of experience in special educational settings in Doha. She holds a degree in psychology from Istanbul Boğaziçi University and a PG Cert in Special Educational Needs Coordination from Leeds Beckett University. Olcay works to create supportive environments and equal opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities to thrive and succeed.

Rawan Yousif

Rawan Yousif is an events coordinator for Sasol Middle East and India/Accessible Qatar, where she supports the development of CSR initiatives and activities that focus on Community Health, Accessibility and Inclusion as well as STEM Education in collaboration with ORYX GTL. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Politics from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor degree in Law from Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar.

Ryan J. Moignard

Ryan J. Moignard is a Senior ASD/Special Needs Football Specialist and Coach for the Ability Friendly Program at Qatar Foundation. He has a background with Liverpool Football Club, where he designed an inclusive football delivery model. Since 2018, Ryan has implemented accessible sports classes across Qatar and collaborated with various international organizations.

Uriel Kejsefman

Uriel Kejsefman is a Senior Product Manager at Duolingo, where he develops the AI-powered subscription tier, Duolingo Max. He previously worked on education reforms at the World Bank and consulted for universities at the Education Advisory Board. Uriel holds a BA from Yale University and a master’s in public administration from Harvard University, and he speaks seven languages.

Dr. Uvais Qidwai

Dr. Uvais Qidwai is a Professor of Computer Engineering at Qatar University. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth and has extensive experience in intelligent embedded systems, health informatics, and robotics. Dr. Qidwai is also the co-founder of 'QAI-Sol,' a start-up focused on advanced AI solutions. He has published over 150 papers and holds several patents.

A special thank you to Step-by-Step Center for Persons with Disabilities: Nasreen Shabir, Olcay B Connor, Romana Taj Mohamed, Tafseena Askar Ali, Reshmi Menon.

Acknowledgements

This report would not have been possible without the support and collaborative spirit of participants and contributors, including persons with disabilities and advocates, policy makers, academics, educators, and the public and private sectors.