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NBB Donates BD 5,000 to the Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind
In line with its role as a responsible corporate citizen, National Bank of Bahrain donated BD 5,000 to the Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind as part of its contributions and donations programme for the year 2010.The Bank also supported the Institute by purchasing a special transportation vehicle for their needs as well as ensuring the purchase of a Perkins machine to be used by the students.

At a meeting held in his office, NBB General Manager- Banking Group, Mr. Abdul Rahman Abdulla Mohamed presented the cheque to Mr. A Wahid Mohammed AL-Khayyat, the Director of Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind. Mr. Abdul Rahman Abdulla Mohammed, said that NBB has always been fully committed to promote the activities of those institutes which play an effective role in helping the underprivileged sections of the society and thereby contribute significantly in improving the community.

Mr. A. Wahid expressed his thanks and appreciation to the NBB Board of Directors chaired by Mr. Abdulla Ali Kanoo and Mr. Abdul Razak Abdulla Hassan Al Qassim, NBB CEO and Director for the continuous support extended by the Bank. He said NBB has been extending support to the Institute for many years, and this support helps in carrying out the programmes and activities undertaken by the Institute and consequently contributes to the fulfillment of its mission in serving the community. He also added that this contribution will enable the Institute to buy different special educational requirements. Mr. AL-Khayyat acknowledged the contribution made by NBB to upgrade the Institute’s swimming pool in the previous year.

The audience was attended Mr. Nasser Mohamed Nasser, Secretary to NBB's Board of Directors.
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Abdelwahid Khayyat: ready to train the blind to Computer
Institute for the Blind training center for the "Hal" The chairman of the Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind, Abdul Wahed Al-Khayyat, the adoption of the Institute's training center on one of the programs of the Blind, a program of "Hal", was organized by the spokesman of Technology, United Arab Emirates specialized in the field of visual disability.

The Director of the Institute that this provision is the culmination of the efforts made by the Governing Council's strategy to transform the future of the Institute an academic institution to the center of educational training and development in the field of devices blind.

The Director of the Institute that the Department of the Institute and more than 15 years, given the technical side of great importance like institutions of the Kingdom and private firms are opening the way for blind students studying the institute from various Arab countries for training in use of the computer a substitute for the typewriter regular, which was used in prior periods the life of the Institute since its foundation in 0.1974 He explained that this training and great achievement has helped open the way for the blind to enter the world of information the Internet and receive messages and communicate with others with complete independence, and has helped the Institute's strategy of students studying to accommodate their role and helped the staff to research and science through the acquisition of hardware different for the Blind. He stressed that the strategy of the Institute were discussed in one of the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Institute's past, it was agreed to work steadily and carefully turn the Institute into a training center in addition to its status as an educational leader in the Middle East. He said that the launch of a laboratory Bahrain Islamic Bank of computer marked a new beginning for the Institute which was to provide laboratory program language that helps to use the computer in my independence, adding that the management of the Institute began a few years ago to train students in all grades from first grade on how to use Computer, said, adding that the lab complements the laboratory is the first lab the National Foundation for the Disabled and National Bank of Bahrain, where they were provided with other programs such as "eyesight," which opened the way for the blind on the NHL a lot to discover knowledge from various sites. He stressed that the project "Computer for all blind", which was adopted by the management of the Institute several years ago helped open the way for all blind people to get computers supplied speaking programs. The attention of the Minister of Education and Majid Al Nuaimi students blind students in mainstream schools has helped to access also to computers through a generous donation for the Petrochemicals Company, where he was the company great attention to the blind, praising the time the same initiative the other to the Minister of Social Development Fatima Al Balushi, which claimed responsibility for this project by providing computer per blind. The Friendship Society for the Blind helped support this project by obtaining a large number of its members on computers equipped with programs, "Hal," which opened hopes for them. He said that hundreds of blind people who have followed their studies institute from various Arab and Islamic countries contributed to the build themselves and involvement in their communities through intensive training undertaken by the Institute in the years of study, confirming that these blind people are still continuous with the Institute through the exchange of letters, which include thanks and appreciation to all Institute staff for their efforts they have made in their training on the most modern techniques and praised the efforts of a teacher previous article typewriter and computer currently Jassem Ali is God, who opened them very little in life.

On this occasion, congratulated the Director of the Institute Board of Directors and visually impaired students to the company and the adoption of the Institute, which is a real achievement for the Institute within the new strategy
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Will be deposited in UNESCO and the Arab and international universities
Print the book «Khalifa bin Salman .. A man and a state of »way« Braille » Proceeded to Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind print a book''Khalifa bin Salman .. A man and a state of''using the''''Braille, to enable the reader to the blind in Bahrain and the world access to the march of His Highness the bus achievements in construction and development locally and globally.

The Director of the Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind, Abdel Wahed Mohamed Khayat expressed his thanks and appreciation for the welcome and support the Prime Minister directed the Institute to print the book in Braille and in other books of the relevant national and education.

The biography of the Prime Minister and its leading role in serving the country received much attention by many authors who raced in the record and documented to highlight the visions of His Highness, ideas and political philosophy, economic, and his humanity as an integral part of the history of Bahrain.

The tailor that approach to print the book''Khalifa bin Salman .. A man and a state of''using the''Braille'', comes within the framework of the Kingdom's sons, blind, and the affirmation of their right to read and see, especially on those valuable work that would develop a sense of national belonging and stimulate the pride of figures and national symbols such as HH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

He added that the printing of this book, which talks about the biography and the march operation of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, comes confirmation of the love borne by Personnel of the Institute of students and staff education and management of the Prince, and an expression of thanks and gratitude to the attention that his interest and care and care of his children with disabilities for and commitment to honor the best of them in a yearly basis.

He noted the tailor would enjoy the personality of the prime minister's respect and appreciation of regional and global, is to get the Prince's many awards and accolades International, which was the latest medal Ibn Sina gold from UNESCO in recognition of the efforts of His Highness in support of culture and heritage, and the tradition of Prince Necklace King Abdulaziz by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, as well as granting HH''Award visionary leadership in the banking''of the Union of Arab Banks, and other prestigious awards other, as well as many honorary doctorates from prestigious universities.

Said Khayat The celebration of the World to His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was the motive behind the idea of printing the book, The Institute intends to provide the world's libraries to all the UNESCO and the universities in the world, Arab and Islamic university in Cairo, Ain Shams University and the Universities of the Arab Maghreb book, and so that the blind in worldwide access to the rich experience of His Highness the State administration, which is a model and national supervisors in achieving notable successes gained respect and admiration of the world.

The director of the Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind to bring to the Institute to print''Khalifa bin Salman .. A man and a state''is part of an integrated plan to print more of these books of a national character to establish a comprehensive national library chronicling the modern history of the Kingdom and highlights the leading role of the wise leadership in achieving this overall development in the Kingdom

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Institute for the Blind in the Book Fair for the third time
For the third time participated Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind in the Book Fair, the fifteenth, which was inaugurated under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister.
The group's director Professor / slave to one of Mohammed Khayat expressed his happiness to participate in this exhibition, which highlights aspects of the work of cultural blind pointing out that the wing of the conservatory of many books, periodicals and pamphlets printed in Braille and allocated for the blind also includes a wing of a presentation to a group of electronic devices used by the person blind in addition to the typewriter for the blind, which directs attention to the need for visitors to the Institute to know the symbols of and demand for Braille typing their names in Braille.
The director of the Institute to participate, the third of the Institute comes to the development and promotion of cultural work, explaining that the Department of the Institute is working to participate in these forums that favor cultural efforts of the Institute, particularly with regard to the cultural aspect of print books, the most important cultural, educational and instructional pamphlets.
He stressed that the most important books displayed in the wing of the Institute in Braille is a book for His Majesty the King is the book (beyond politics - The Message of love and gratitude to the commander rights), and copies of the Constitution and National Charter in addition to the book Tales of Hura writer Khalifa Salibej and also a wide range of textbooks and educational pamphlets miscellaneous.
In conclusion, Director of the Institute statement of thanks and appreciation to the organizing committee, praised the efforts of Professor / Bashar al-Jassim, director of the exhibition, which has worked hard on the participation of the Institute urged the media to highlight the efforts of the Institute in this field, especially his participation in the Book Fair is the only one among the institutes of the blind in the Arab world, which insists to participate to a declaration Braille.
The management of the Institute is currently working on printing a book of His Royal Highness Prince / Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister a book (Khalifa Bin Salman - a man and a state) after preferred His Highness the approval of the print

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Under the auspices of Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Naimi, Minister of Education
Bahrain INSTRAW
Saudi-Bahraini
For the Blind, the annual celebration of blind students to graduate students in various stages of study and at ten o'clock on the morning of Thursday, 24-6 - 2010
On this occasion, Director of the Institute Professor Abdul Wahid Mohammed Khayat expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of Education and the preferences of approval to take care of this ceremony, stressing that the Minister of Education Yuli Institute and its affiliates considerable attention, especially his personal presence of the graduation ceremonies held by the Institute, praising at the same time concerned departments of the ministry to pursue the path of Institute since its inception in 1974.
The Director of the Institute said that the ceremony will include the graduation of 3 students from secondary school students of middle school (continuing education) and 4 of primary students in addition to honoring outstanding students the institute will also include a ceremony to honor the educational departments cooperating school administrators and teachers schools integrate blind students collaborating with the Institute and who have made the effort great care by our visually impaired students studying in this school, explaining that all the faculty in these schools deserve our great appreciation for their efforts in the exclusive care of these students.
He said Mr. Abdul Wahid Al Khayat, said the institute after 36 years on the establishment of the Institute looks forward to give a touch of new work by moving forward in order to use modern technology in its work and move the Institute to one of the modern schools within the project of His Majesty the King stressed that the interest in continuing to develop the Institute to incorporate the latest modern appliances in the world of the blind and to provide services to the blind students.
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Works installed special devices for the blind to cross the road signs
Said Eng Huda Fakhro, director of planning and design of roads in Bahrain that, in the interest of the Ministry of Works to provide excellent services and high quality of the citizens and residents of the road users, the ministry has installed a device to help blind people to cross the traffic lights for pedestrians.
The Fakhro in its statement that the device is a bump top installed in Fund request for the green light for pedestrians so that the blind person touching by hand after you press the button. The bulge is a connector connected to the controller reference light so that it starts to spin the event as a green light for pedestrians to feel the blind the possibility of safe passage.
A team from the Department of Traffic Engineering ministry experience this device signal pedestrians along the street SMC compound versus SMC in collaboration with the Director of the Bahrain Institute for the Blind Mr. Abdul Wahid Al-Khayyat, and during the experiment was explaining the operation of the device for some employees of the Institute for the blind and visually impaired who have practical application to learn how to use.
Personnel of the Institute have expressed their appreciation for the attention of the Ministry of Works with special needs and use of modern technology in facilitating the safe dealing with the external environment.
The ministry will continue to evaluate this experience and taking into account the observations of users of this device to ensure its success and dissemination in other locations on the roads in the Kingdom.
It is worth mentioning that it will soon experiment with a particular tile on the sidewalk near the pedestrian crossings in order to make blind pedestrians to their access to safe crossing point, where this experience will be applied to the traffic signal for pedestrians at the Salmaniya Medical Complex and the reference located on the street against the government parking Regency
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Bahrain Celebrates International Day for the white stick
Participated in the Kingdom of Bahrain represented Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind, the World Day of the white stick.

Kingdom of Bahrain yesterday celebrated the fifteenth of October the International Day for the white stick, which is celebrated by the institutes of the blind in all countries in the world.

The director of the Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind, Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Khayyat: «The celebration of this day is an indicator of the importance of the stick in the lives of blind people as a symbol and logo for the Blind in movement, in addition to emphasis on the community to stand next to the blind and for their cases and help them».

He explained that the celebration coincides with the celebration with the World Sight Day was celebrated a few days ago. Emphasizing leadership support people with special needs in general and the blind in particular.

He added that the Kingdom and went through the relevant ministries especially the Ministry of Education and the support by the Minister personally for the Blind and related institutions started to understand the needs of the blind and persons with disabilities in general through the adoption of resolutions and regulations that meet their needs. He pointed out that the formation of the Higher Committee for disability and follow-up to the House of Representatives and the Shura Council of disability issues and to provide monthly support for this group and the opening of specialized centers for the category of disabilities in the future is the result of direct leadership to support persons with disabilities including the blind.

He said the countries of the world, especially the developed countries concerned with the subject of teaching the art of movement for the blind and sense of direction by promoting programs for the movement and passage of legislation and regulations for the organization of cities, streets, sidewalks and street intersections and determine points of safe passage for pedestrians and to develop rules to regulate the traffic so as to ensure a safe walk to all citizens or passengers Mrtgelin heterosexual or non-heterosexual.

He noted that the Institute's interest in this subject, the art of movement and sense of direction since its inception by providing expertise of specialists in this area and work on the preparation and training of national cadres specialized able to complete the process of training, in addition to participation in conferences on the art of movement and was the last of those posts the Institute's participation in international conferences, art group, including the conference held in Atlanta in the United States where he participated in the Conference Director of the Institute and look at what we have reached the world in this area.
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19 blind students sitting for final exams
Staff Reporter
19 blind students enrolled in schools across the Kingdom are currently sitting for their final examinations alongside their peers. The students attend six different high schools, six intermediate schools, two primary schools and one private school.

Commenting on the exam period, Director of the Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind explained that the exam papers for blind students are printed at the insti- tute: "The institute's administration and all of its departments are ready for the final exams. The printing department finished printing all exam papers for high school, intermediate and primary levels on time."

The director explained that the depart- 'ment for printing books at the institute has doubled its efforts and was able to hand all the exam papers to the Ministry of Education for them to be distributed to the different schools that the blind students are currently enrolled in.

The department was also able to pi papers for the National Examinations the sixth grade which were concluded last week.

The director stated that the institute has performed its duties and worked hard print all the educational materials needed by the students, including schoolbooks | all school levels, in addition to students notes, monthly test .questions, as well midterm and final exam papers. "Using new printers introduced to the department, we were also able to print many awareness pamphlets this year in addition to school books, memos and notices," the director added. He praised the support that the institute has received from private national organizations that sponsor it and fund its operations.

The director also referred to the strength of cooperation that exists between the institute and the Ministry of Education, particularly the exams and curriculum department and the private education department, and said that this cooperation has led to success in implementing the principal of educational integration for blind students.

The institute's director explained that the 19 students are able to attend school with their peers and receive the same education. He praised the support that the students receive from the Minister 'of Education Dr. Majed bin Ali Al Noaimi as well as other officials.
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Special needs school drive urged
MORE efforts are needed to improve Bahrain's policy of integrating special needs students into public schools, experts said yesterday.
Bahrain is a pioneer in the field in the GCC, but parents need assurances that special needs children can succeed, they added.
Schools also need to continuously upgrade their services in line with international standards, a workshop organised by Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind (SBIB) was told.
"Bahrain was one of the leading GCC countries to implement the integration of special needs students in public schools, but work is still needed to solve various problems," said SBIB director Abdulwahid Al Khayat.
"The institute has worked with the visually impaired for 34 years and provided educational and rehabilitation services," he said.
"It was the first institute to implement integration for its students in public schools across the country."
He was speaking at the Educational Integration of Special Needs Children workshop, held at the SBIB, Isa Town.
The event was organised by Tharawat Investment House (Tharawat) in co-ordination with the SBIB and the Friendship Society for the Blind.
Mr Al Khayat said the goal behind the workshop was to exchange experiences with other institutes in Bahrain and the region.
"Also, we hope this institute can raise awareness and make it compulsory for special needs children to study in public schools," he added.
SBIB integration co-ordinator Shaikha Ghanim said that integration efforts were facing a number obstacles that need to be addressed.

"Some students, along with their parents, are not accepting the idea, they worry that they won't be able to succeed in public schools," she said.
Ms Ghanim said one of the problems was that the Education Ministry was constantly changing the curriculum, resulting in the institute having to pay for printing books in Braille.
"This means that students sometimes get their books late due to the procedure of printing in Braille," she added.
Integration
Ms Ghanim said the institute had first integrated students to public schools in 1982, where only two schools accepted them in their classrooms.
In 2005, students were integrated in the primary level and in the following year they were integrated in the elementary.
Al Eman Private School disabled students' specialist Mohammed Khwailat said that public schools needed to implement conditions to make integration successful.
"The students, parents and school administration need to work as a team to make this happen," he said.
"Then, conditions need to be followed, such as having no more than two special needs students in each classroom.
"This will enable teachers to concentrate more on the special needs students along with their other duties."
The event was attended by Tharawat director of corporate communications head Khalid Al Khayat as well as specialists from Bahrain and other GCC countries and parents.
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BIsB CEO Donates Laptop with Talking Aid to a Blind Citizen - Donation Makes a Dream Come True for Blind Bahraini
Thursday 29 March 2007
Mr. Yousif Saleh Khalaf, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bahrain Islamic Bank (BIsB), the first Islamic bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain, yesterday morning made a dream come true for a blind Bahraini citizen by donating a laptop with talking aid enabling him to develop his skills to enable him to find a job and to earn a living.
Reacting to a press story published recently in Bahrain’s Akhbar Al Khaleej daily in which the reporter Mohamed Al Saie’e said that a blind Bahraini citizen cherishes a dream of owning a laptop equipped with a talking device especially for the blind, Mr. Yousif Saleh Khalaf met this morning Mr. Mohamed Hussain Public Relations Committee Head at the Friendship Society for the Blind and handed him the laptop.
On this occasion Mr. Khalaf said: “We in BIsB are indeed delighted to help make a citizen’s dream come true, especially someone who has lost his eye-sight but he still enjoys his insight. This kind of help is a demonstration of doing part of our corporate social responsibility to a member of the local community.”
Meanwhile, Mr. A.Wahid Mohamed Al Khayat, Director of the Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind praised the Bank’s role and said: “Once again we are unable to truly express our thanks and appreciation to Bahrain Islamic Bank led by its Chief Executive Officer Mr. Yousif Saleh Khalaf for his continuous support to special need students, especially the blind.”
“As I have mentioned before, this kind gesture is not the first of its kind by BIsB to the blind as the Bank has been accustomed to give for charity and to make memorable donations to all groups in the community. We have not forgotten the Bank’s donation of a computer lab at our Institute where the lab carries the name of the Bank in recognition of its services to the blind in the Kingdom." Mr. Alkhayat added.
The software used in the donated laptop translates all written texts into audio material enabling a blind person to use the computer in full independence and to browse the Internet without any outside help. When the press story appeared in the paper, the Bank wrote to its editor in chief reporter advising him that it would make the laptop donation. Unfortunately, the necessary software was unavailable in Bahrain, hence it was procured by a special order from the UAE through the BIsB Computer lab, which is based in the Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind.
Mr. Mohamed Husain, Public Relations Committee Head at the Friendship Society for the Blind expressed his thanks to Mr. Khalaf for his kind donation that was a dream come true. He added: “Your present is not just a talking computer as much as it is a demonstration of your humanitarian feelings.”
Chairman of the Friendship Society for the Blind Mr. Hussain Alhulaibi expressed his thanks to BIsB CEO by saying: “The Bank’s response to the news story was in an amazing record time, which was not more than two hours from publication of the newspaper. This was not at all surprising as we are well aware of the kindness of the Bank’s officials.".
Bahrain Islamic Bank is always concerned with undertaking its social responsibilities in the best possible manner by providing considerable support to many humanitarian, social and other events that concern the local community in the Kingdom. Since its inception, the Bank has contributed more than BD5 million in the form of donations, Zakat and contributions to worthy causes.
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BIsB CEO Donates Laptop with Talking Aid to a Blind Citizen
Mr. Yousif Saleh Khalaf, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bahrain Islamic Bank (BIsB), the first Islamic bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain, today made a dream come true for a blind Bahraini citizen by donating a laptop with talking aid enabling him to develop his skills to enable him to find a job and to earn a living.

Reacting to a press story published recently in Bahrain’s Akhbar Al Khaleej daily in which the reporter Mohamed Al Saie’e said that a blind Bahraini citizen cherishes a dream of owning a laptop equipped with a talking device especially for the blind, Mr. Yousif Saleh Khalaf met this morning Mr. Mohamed Hussain Public Relations Committee Head at the Friendship Society for the Blind and handed him the laptop.

On this occasion Mr. Khalaf said: “We in BIsB are indeed delighted to help make a citizen’s dream come true, especially someone who has lost his eye-sight but he still enjoys his insight. This kind of help is a demonstration of doing part of our corporate social responsibility to a member of the local community.”

Meanwhile, Mr. A.Wahid Mohamed Al Khayat, Director of the Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind praised the Bank’s role and said: “Once again we are unable to truly express our thanks and appreciation to Bahrain Islamic Bank led by its Chief Executive Officer Mr. Yousif Saleh Khalaf for his continuous support to special need students, especially the blind.”

“As I have mentioned before, this kind gesture is not the first of its kind by BIsB to the blind as the Bank has been accustomed to give for charity and to make memorable donations to all groups in the community. We have not forgotten the Bank’s donation of a computer lab at our Institute where the lab carries the name of the Bank in recognition of its services to the blind in the Kingdom." Mr. Alkhayat added.

The software used in the donated laptop translates all written texts into audio material enabling a blind person to use the computer in full independence and to browse the Internet without any outside help. When the press story appeared in the paper, the Bank wrote to its editor in chief reporter advising him that it would make the laptop donation. Unfortunately, the necessary software was unavailable in Bahrain, hence it was procured by a special order from the UAE through the BIsB Computer lab, which is based in the Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind.

Mr. Mohamed Husain, Public Relations Committee Head at the Friendship Society for the Blind expressed his thanks to Mr. Khalaf for his kind donation that was a dream come true. He added: “Your present is not just a talking computer as much as it is a demonstration of your humanitarian feelings.”

Chairman of the Friendship Society for the Blind Mr. Hussain Alhulaibi expressed his thanks to BIsB CEO by saying: “The Bank’s response to the news story was in an amazing record time, which was not more than two hours from publication of the newspaper. This was not at all surprising as we are well aware of the kindness of the Bank’s officials.".

Bahrain Islamic Bank is always concerned with undertaking its social responsibilities in the best possible manner by providing considerable support to many humanitarian, social and other events that concern the local community in the Kingdom. Since its inception, the Bank has contributed more than BD5 million in the form of donations, Zakat and contributions to worthy causes.

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Blind receive special training
THE Perkins Brailler training programme, which is the first of its kind in the GCC states, was concluded yesterday at the Saudi- Bahraini Institute for the Blind in Isa Town.
The Batelco-sponsored programme was designed to help the blind repair the Perkins Brailler. The program mi; was run by engineer Rudolph Gideon from the South African Braille Services Trust Co in conjunction with Braille House Co in the UAE.
Representatives of GCC institutes for the blind took part.
''Holding such training programmes is part of the institute's efforts to equip Bahrain workers with necessary skills to maintain
these equipment," said Saudi- Bahraini institute for the Blind director Abdulwahid Mohammed Al Khayat.
"There are very few qualified technicians in the GCC and instead of sending the equipment abroad; it is more convenient if we can train someone locally to repair such equipment."
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14 top students are honoured
FOURTEEN outstanding students were honoured yesterday in a ceremony held at the Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind. Isa Town.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi and included a welcoming speech by Assistant Under-secretary for Planning and Educational Information Mohammed Hussain Al Jowder, who is also institute board chairman.
Institute director Abdulwahid Al Khayat stressed the role of the ministry and parents in the success of students.
"Our students competed against and surpassed government and private school students in numerous fields," he said.
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Major plan to help disabled
NEW national plan aimed at developing services for the disabled and people with special needs will launched by early next year, it as revealed yesterday.
The plan aims at fully integrating them into the society and improving their status in the community, said social Affairs Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi.
She was speaking at the opening of a recreation festival for the disabled, which enters its second day today at the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK)
Rehabilitation Centre, Isa Town.
Some disabled groups have asked for their own theatre to put on plays and other shows.
Dr Al Balooshi said that her ministry would co-ordinate with the Information Ministry over this.
She said such a theatre would serve all rehabilitation centres in the country.
The two-day festival has been organised by the Social Affairs Ministry and rehabilitation centres, public and private schools and other relevant organizations are taking part.
It aims to promote the contribution of disabled people in the country's development.
It features a play, songs and music performed by students from the Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind, Shaikhan Al Farsi Centre for
Communication and the Sanabis Cultural and Sports Centre.
Various recreational games, traditional dishes, food items and products by the disabled are also offer.
Brochures promoting issues related to the disabled are also being distributed.
The event will be open to the public today from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
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Hope institute
SEVENTEEN youngsters were honoured yesterday after completing their education at the Hope institute for Special Education, in Isa Town.
A ceremony way held under the patronage of Social Affairs Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi and attended by society president Shaikha Lulwa bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.
Institute principal Badriya Salias said the youngsters, aged! 5 and 16. have completed their educaiiona.1 and vocational programmes at the centre and will now move on to the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait Rehabilitation Centre, also in Isa Town, to get more vocational training.
"In today's world, social care is one of the key factors of a civilisation's
progress and development," she -said.
"'Any scientific or technical progress won't be a positive one unless it's created to serve the people."
Ms Salias added that she was proud to see the 21st batch of students graduate from the institute.
"Parents must encourage their children to strive to become independent, productive members of society and find jobs after they graduate from the centre" she said.On behalf of the parents, Mariam Abbas Al Mahdi said that seeing their children graduate is a dream come true.
"Their strong will was a weapon that opened up the doors to their success," she said.
"We are very proud of them The graduates and thank their teachers and the institute's administration for their ongoing commitment in educating our children."
Institute pupils performed music and dance at the event, which was attended by officials, parents and guests.
They were presented with certificates by Dr Al Balooshi and Shaikha Lulwa.
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A visit to the Civil Aviation Affairs meteorological office
Ten students of the Saudi, Bahrain Institute for the Blind visited the Civil Aviation Affairs meteorological office in Muharraq, on an educational field trip. Senior meteorologist Khalil Ibrahim talked to them about the job description of meteorologists and educational requirements needed. The students were then given a tour of the facilities
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Saudi Bahraini Institute for the blind participates in reading festival
Saudi, Bahraini Institute for the blind participates in the sixth festival for reading, which was organized by East Riffa Primary School for Boys under the supervision of Mrs. Aysha Abdul Ghani, the directorate of Primary Education.

The Institute was represented by Sheikha Mohammed (3rdInt) and Nooh Taleb Al Hadeedy (2nd Int). They read the text in Brile and they were among a group of students from other government schools.

The Institute participated in the festival as a part of the programme that aims at mixing blind students with the other government school students including all the social, cultural, sport and entertainment activities during this educational year. 2003 / 2004.


This participation shows the abilities and skills of the blind students and the disabled ones especially concerned with reading "in Brile". We would like to inform you that all Sheikhan Center for comprehensive Speaking has already participated in this festival and the students got a award certificates for their efforts in the festivals.
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Eight blind graduates pursue higher studies
Blind graduates will be motivated to complete their higher studies and join the labour market, the principal of the Bahraini-Saudi Institute for the Blind (BSIB), Abdulwahad Al Khayat, said yesterday.

"The SBIB has 10 teachers - nine blind and one deaf - and it is keen to recruit more who are capable of maximising the learning abilities of the students," he said. Five Somalis and one Sudanese graduates of the BSIB are studying in the UK, two Bahrainis are studying in Arab countries and eight local graduates are studying at the University of Bahrain.

The institute will complete 35 years by next year. It has become one of few centres in the region that provide rehabilitation and academic programmes for the blind.

"Integrating the students to the latest technology is our new policy in which the youngsters can now access the internet and type their own reports," Al Khayat said, adding that blind students had been offered computer training from grade one. The SBIB's successes are result of the support of the Bahraini and Saudi governments along with the supervision of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

"We are keen to motivate the blind to be active in society and make them stronger to face the life challenges," he said.
Al Khayat called on the Parliament to approve a law for the handicapped. It protects the rights of special individuals with special needs in terms of education, employment and development opportunities.

He also requested the Molsa to include new members in the board of trustees of the National Institute for the Disabled to ensure better services for the blind.
The institute's awareness programmes and public activities highlight the potentials of the blinds and their determination to reach their goals.

"People have to realise that the blind are ordinary individuals with four senses instead of five so they can lead lives and be productive," Al Khayat said.

SBIB's administration and teachers keep close ties with the blind students at secondary schools and UoB to follow up their study progress and guide them to adjust to the outside world.

The use of white stick in Bahrain is far below than the rest of the world, as most blind Bahrainis feel shy to use it. For that Al Khayat and his team are keen to change the blind's opinion towards the stick. "In trips, sentertainment activities and marathons we make sure to motivate the blind to use the stick," he said.
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Events planned for disabled
Bahrain will join on December 3 the rest of the world in marking the International Day for Disabled Persons under the theme 'Protecting the disabled is a society's obligation'.

The activities, organised by the National Institute for the Disabled (NID) in association with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and several government and private organisations, include more than 88 events, varying from lectures and seminars to workshops and entertainment.
Most activities would bring together the disabled from all centres and societies for the handicapped.

"Providing welfare and rehabilitation services for the handicapped is not a one-day job but an on-going process to enable individuals with physical and mental limitations to lead normal lives," the NID vice-president, Hanan Kamal, said, adding, "We are trying our best to focus on the suffering and obstacles facing the disabled to achieve their development aspirations in terms of better educational rights and job opportunities."

She urged private and governmental organisations to join forces in providing more services and facilities for the disabled, especially funding projects related to establishing more rehabilitation centres for children with special needs.
"The celebration is part of a plan to underscore all issues related to the handicapped and encourage the disabled to improve their social skills," Kamal said.

The programme will start today with a get-together at the Bahrain and Kuwait Rehabilitation Centre. The main objective of the event is to encourage the disabled to be more active in society.

The NID will conduct its annual newspaper competition, covering different age-groups. The contest is in the form of questions about disabilities. Twenty to 30 winners will be given prizes.

A training course on sign language will be held from December 12 to 15 at the Shaikhan Al Farsi Total Communication Centre.
A series of lectures will be held at almost all public schools on different types of disabilities and the importance of encouraging the disabled to lead normal lives.

The celebration focuses on ways to orient parents, teachers and those involved with disabled children to the philosophy and new trends in early intervention, recognising new developments in the field of early intervention and learning the ways and methods used in programmes of early intervention in the country.

A one-month visit programme to important places in the country is being conducted for disabled students from different organisations for the handicapped