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Muscat An academy to rehabilitate people with intellectual disabilities and integrate them within society will be established for the first time in Oman.
The Oman Down Syndrome Association (ODSA) on Monday announced the establishment of Omani Academy for Special Skills for this purpose.
The announcement was made at a ceremony held under the auspices of Dr Yahya bin Bader al Mawali, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Social Development. It will train and rehabilitate people with intellectual disabilities, and qualify them to secure jobs along with their healthier counterparts.
Dr Yahya said: “It is a great opportunity for the association, families and the community to transform people with disabilities into productive members of society. I am sure this partnership will pay off soon.
He said the academy co-founders are coordinating with the Ministry of Manpower and authorities concerned to obtain academic accreditation. The study at the academy will be divided into five semesters of two years. The first batch, which will start in 2019-20, will target 40 students (20 males, 20 females).
The idea for the academy was suggested by Dr Lamia al Kharousi and Alice Ambusaidi, both ODSA members. They made a proposal on the academy’s work mechanism, which includes enhancing professional skills and potential of its students through training programmes, seminars, as well as on- the-job training, in cooperation with government and private organisations.(Oman Observer)
