SDG10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES

Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10) aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries, focusing on marginalized and vulnerable populations. In Saudi Arabia, addressing inequalities faced by people with disabilities is of utmost importance to create an inclusive and equitable society. Qassim University recognizes the significance of SDG 10 and has implemented measures to promote access, learning, and facilities for individuals with disabilities.

Accessible Learning Environments:

Qassim University's commitment to SDG 10 is reflected in its efforts to create accessible learning environments. The university ensures that its campuses and facilities are designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, providing ramps, elevators, and other features that facilitate mobility and accessibility.

Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching:

The university integrates an inclusive approach into its curriculum and teaching methods. Qassim University's faculty members are trained to cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring that students with disabilities receive the necessary support and resources to succeed academically.

Support Services for Students with Disabilities:

Qassim University provides a range of support services for students with disabilities. These services include specialized learning resources, assistive technologies, counseling, and academic accommodations. The university aims to create an environment where all students can thrive and participate fully in their educational journey.

Collaboration with Disability Organizations:

The university collaborates with disability organizations and advocacy groups to gain insights into best practices and challenges related to inclusivity. These partnerships facilitate knowledge exchange and the implementation of strategies that promote equal access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Awareness Campaigns and Sensitization:

Qassim University raises awareness about the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities through awareness campaigns, seminars, and workshops. The university promotes an inclusive mindset among students, faculty, and staff, fostering an environment of respect and understanding.

Disability-Inclusive Research Initiatives:

The university's research efforts extend to disability-inclusive projects. Qassim University's research contributes to understanding the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and developing solutions that enhance their quality of life and participation in society.

Accessible Facilities and Services:

Qassim University ensures that its facilities, including libraries, laboratories, and recreational areas, are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The university prioritizes the creation of an inclusive environment that caters to diverse needs.

Promotion of Disability Rights:

The university advocates for disability rights and social inclusion within its community and beyond. Qassim University contributes to discussions on policy development, awareness, and advocacy efforts aimed at reducing inequalities and promoting equal opportunities.

Empowerment and Skill Development:

Qassim University aims to empower individuals with disabilities by offering skill development programs, workshops, and vocational training. These initiatives equip individuals with the skills they need to contribute to the workforce and society at large.

Qassim University's commitment to SDG 10 is evident through its comprehensive efforts to foster inclusivity and reduce inequalities for individuals with disabilities. By providing accessible learning environments, inclusive curriculum, support services, collaborating with disability organizations, raising awareness, conducting research, and promoting disability rights, the university actively contributes to creating a more equitable and inclusive society in Saudi Arabia. Through its dedication, Qassim University plays a significant role in advancing SDG 10 and ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to education, opportunities, and facilities.

Disability unit

https://dsa.qu.edu.sa/content/p/237 [1]

Introduction

The objective of Vision 2030 is to develop effective plans and programs that will contribute to making the Kingdom a model in the world on all levels. The objectives of these plans are to enable persons with disabilities to obtain suitable employment opportunities and education that guarantees their independence and integration into society; as independent and active actors, and to provide all facilities and tools to help them achieve this success. 

In addition to continuing the educational process, this major work indicates that the Kingdom seeks through the Quality of Life Program - one of the programs that emanate from the Vision 2030 to provide infrastructure facilities throughout the Kingdom, to be easily accessible via public transport and to be ready to receive persons with disabilities. A disabled person is every person who suffers from a complete or partial impairment affecting his or her physical, sensory, mental, communicative, educational or psychological abilities to the extent that it reduces the ability to meet his or her normal requirements under conditions such as non-disabled persons. This injury consists of one or more of the following: 

 

• • visual,
• • hearing,
• • mental and mental disabilities,
• • motor disabilities,
• • learning disabilities,
• • language and speech disorders,
• • behavioral disorders,
• • and other disabilities, which require special care.

Therefore, these people need to take the necessary measures in the medical, psychological, educational, media and systemic aspects aimed at meeting their educational needs and developing their academic capacities

The committee conducted a survey on a number of cases of persons with disabilities in the university and their needs, whether in infrastructure, academic or technical problems. The unit aims to build bridges of partnership between the university's Disability Care Unit and its representatives in the colleges, in order to provide outstanding and pioneering service for students with disabilities. The Persons with Disabilities Unit of the School of Student Affairs welcomes university students with disabilities and seeks to provide a range of specific quality services that are inclusive of all academic, administrative, psychological, social, technical and infrastructure aspects.

Education for people with disabilities at university

The Kingdom strives to provide health and social care and all means of decent living for all its citizens of all categories. Persons with disabilities are at the forefront of these groups, which require special care and attention. The Kingdom has focused its attention on the care of persons with disabilities in a way that ensures their access to disability-related rights, promotes services for them, contributes to their well-being and qualifies them to become an effective part of society.

The University of Al-Qassim, in accordance with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, has ensured the provision of comprehensive care services to all those in need of care due to their health status, degree of disability or social status, and has contributed to the employment of medical, social, psychological, educational and professional services to help students with disabilities achieve the greatest possible efficiency within the university, in order to enable them to conform to the requirements of their natural and social environment, and to develop their capacities to become self-reliant and a productive member of society. 

The percentage of people with disabilities who have recently become 7.1% of the total population of the Kingdom. According to the Statistics Authority, the number of people with disabilities is as follows: 
 

• · Hearing impairments: 289.355
• · Hyperactivity and distraction: 30,155
• · Motor disabilities: 833.136
• · Autism spectrum disorder: 53,282
• · Down syndrome: 19,428
• · Visual impairments: 811.61

Disability unit

The Unit for Persons with Disabilities has been formed as one of the units of the Dean of Student Affairs. The Unit is concerned with overcoming all the difficulties and challenges faced by persons with disabilities, both male and female students of the University. It provides a suitable university environment for students with special needs who have easy access to the halls and to the main departments of the campus. The unit also works to educate university staff on how to properly deal with people with disabilities at the university.

Unit tasks

• · Develop policies on the identification and classification of students with disabilities
• · Develop scientific tools that identify and evaluate students with disabilities
• · Awareness-raising, policy-building and frameworks; To integrate students with disabilities into tertiary education commensurate with their abilities in less constrained environments
• · Create equal access to an equitable and appropriate university education for all students with disabilities without regard to gender, material social background, geographical location or the nature of special needs
• · Providing customized learning opportunities that address the special needs of talented and creative students

Types of services provided by the Unit to persons with disabilities at the University

Visual impairment

• • Academic needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/physical services)
• • Psychological needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/physical services)
• • Social needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/material services)

Hearing impairment

• • Academic needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/physical services)
• • Psychological needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/physical services)
• • Social needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/material services)

Mobility impairment

• • Academic needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/physical services)
• • Psychological needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/physical services)
• • Social needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/material services)

Other disabilities

• • Academic needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/physical services)
• • Psychological needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/physical services)
• • Social needs, including (academic adaptation/effective communication services/material services)

While the student/disabled person has determined what he needs at the university, the student is then interviewed in person and diagnosed in accordance with the special education standards adopted by the Ministry under the hands of specialists in special education, the type of service the student needs is determined, and then categorized and determined to which type of procedure:

1- Academic support for students with disabilities

• • Increase the time limit for quarterly and final tests by half/twice
• • Individualized testing
• • Modification of evaluation and teaching methods in coordination with the management of the Center
• • Zoom in on or read the question line
• • A table separate from the chair
• • Exemption from automatic correction
• • Taking into account their health situation during the lecture
• • In-room escort to take notes
• • Division of the scientific material for testing over two days
• • Replace presentations with student-friendly activity
• • Offer a laptop during the test
• • Allow breaks for student/lecturer
• • The faculty member should address the student directly to make sure he/she understands the test questions.
• • The faculty member will write down the answer to the written questions after they are received by the student/orally in cooperation with the author/if necessary for students with visual disabilities
• • No more than one test of the same day
• • To seek an excuse for delays for students with disabilities
• • Taking the health situation into account during the lecture
• • Present and send presentations and lectures before and after lectures for study
• • Segmentation of long-term tasks into phased sub-tasks
• • Provide students with written, short and clear instructions
• • Give students more time to complete tasks

2- Social services

• • Help organize visits, trips, seminars, meetings and exhibitions on disability issues.
• • Participate in national holidays.
• • Participation in global events such as World Disability Day, World Autism Day, Week of the Deaf
• • Facilitating participation in student clubs such as the Art Club, Literary Club, and Sports Club.
• • Participation in external events

3- Psychological services

• • Student or student presentation of a Guided Me Program in which the condition is diagnosed and referred to specialists as the case may be, either to a psychologist or Medical City health specialists to provide psychological support
• • Contribute to building bridges of understanding between university employees and students with disabilities.
• • Identify the level of psychological compatibility of students with disabilities at the university and overcome the difficulties they face
• • Work to overcome the challenges and difficulties they face during their educational journey and to resolve them in accordance with the university’s regulations

Educational consultations at the Persons with Disabilities Unit

Athletic and Cultural Facilities

https://qa.qu.edu.sa/files/shares/handbooks/Student%20Manual.pdf [2]

The University cares for developing its athletic and cultural facilities, and it currently constructs “Assembly of Athletic Facilities”, which most of its units have been finished. 

This Assembly contains group of athletic facilities of high standard, and have integrated combos of stadia, sport fields and services for University staff, students, employers and officers. These include: 

 

• o Bowling and entertainment sports hall
• o Multi-sports hall (football, basketball, volleyball, etc.)
• o Hall services building
• o Swimming pool building prepared for holding championships
• o Social building equipped with social sitting rooms and cafeterias
• o Group of outdoor stadia

The total area of this assembly is about 89800 meter square, and the total cost of it is 89 million SR. the assembly is constructed according to the most recent styles, and well equipped to serve the staff, student and all University related people. 

Also, the University has many well equipped halls for conferences, meetings and celebrations. These are distributed all over the University in its main building and the branches. The courtyard of the University main building is prepared for establishing the big activities and encounters such as graduation parties, public conferences.

Medical Care

https://qa.qu.edu.sa/files/shares/handbooks/Student%20Manual.pdf [2]

Medical care is one of the student rights. Therefore, the University presents free medical care to their students through its medical clinics in the University City in Mulidaa. These comprises general, surgery and specialized clinics, besides the dental clinic. These clinics offer medical care to the staff and officers of the University in addition to the students. 

Also, the governmental hospitals offer comprehensive medical care to the Saudi citizen including the students, and also they offer medical care to the international students. The University currently constructs and prepares the University Hospital in its main site, which is a comprehensive medical project. It is a part of the Medicine City which will serve all the University related persons and the society people as well.

Medical glasses subsidy

https://qa.qu.edu.sa/files/shares/handbooks/Student%20Manual.pdf [2]

Some university students suffer from low vision and need to use glasses (to correct their vision problems). This service is in accordance with special regulations established to regulate its utilization. The Fund assists them by paying (50%) of the value of the glasses, after it is proved that they need it by the specialist in the health unit at the university, and this service is in accordance with special controls established to regulate their use.

Rules for Providing Financial Assistance for Medical Glasses

• • This service is offered to all university students.
• • The student must provide a written statement from the specialist in the University Health Unit confirming his need to use glasses.
• • The student must abide by the instructions issued by the Deanship of Student Affairs, such as holding a university card and the commitment of good behavior in his appearance and behavior.
• • The student must bring the original invoice for his purchase of glasses from one of the specialized shops, clearly stating the student’s name, the date of purchase and the official seal of the shop.
• • The student funding department shall bear (50%) of the value of the medical glasses approved in the purchase invoice from the competent shop, but the value of the glasses does not exceed (500) five hundred riyals.
• • The student is not entitled to apply for more than one subsidy during his studies at the university.

University Housing

https://qa.qu.edu.sa/files/shares/handbooks/Student%20Manual.pdf [2]

Campus accommodation for students within the university campus is an essential component of the campus and is important to provide a comfortable and suitable atmosphere for students to fulfil their university studies easily and motivate them for scientific excellence and to use their leisure time and benefit from it through the services offered within the university. 

The General Administration of the University has been keen to find accommodation for students by signing the first and second phases of 6 buildings in theUniversity City accommodating about 1050 students for each stage, including public facilities for each stage. 

University housing for students in the College of Science and Arts in the province of Al-Rass and the College of Health Sciences in Al-Rass and the Collegeof Health Sciences in the province of Al-Bukayriyah, and it is still under preparation. 

University housing in the province of Al Bukayriya, which can accommodate 105 students, including scholarship students, and is rented from the Association for the memorization of the Koran in Bukayriah. 

Housing on campus in the Southern Branch of the Philippines scholarship students and it includes 9 students. 

University housing in Al-Wusta district was rented for 53 students 

University housing in Al-Khabib neighborhood was rented to students of postgraduate studies which are Yemeni scholarship students which are 3 students

The Deanship of Students Affairs has established a unit to follow up the university housing and external student housing and coordinate with the deanships and private housing departments to develop the appropriate programs to educate students, develop their skills and exploit their free time. 

The Directorate of Housing has provided transportation for all student housing and it meets their requirements and follows-up with them regularly.

Student Loans

Some students require some financial support to be able to afford the requirements of their study. Therefore, the student funding department is keen to provide financial resources in order to stand with students for helping them overcome these needs. It also provides the conditions for their psychological stability. This service is provided in accordance with special regulations established to regulate its utilization.

Student loan payment rules

• • Provides financial support to all university students who attend school.
• • The student must be eligible for the monthly student reward.
• • The student must complete the loan application form and promise to pay all the money that he took.
• • The student determines the financial support he needs, provided that the required loan should not exceed the amount specified by the administration of the student funding department.
• • The student must abide by the instructions issued by the Deanship of Student Affairs, such as holding a university card and commitment to good behavior in appearance and dealing.
• • The payment is made in monthly installments by automatically deducting from the student’s monthly reward.
• • All installment payments must be paid before the end of the semester in which the loan was paid.
• • The student is not entitled to apply for more than one loan in the same semester in case of repayment of the full previous payment.
• • The loan is canceled if it is delayed for more than two weeks from the date of approving the payment. The applicant must submit a new application in case he needs the loan.
• • If the student wishes to postpone, drop the semester or withdraw from the university, he must pay the loan that he owes before evacuating his party from the university.

Students with the following cases are not eligible for a financial loan

• A. New student who is studying at the first level.
• B. The student whose reward has been cut due to receiving a warning or exceeding the period of regular study at the University.
• C. The student who has already taken a loan and has not yet completed the payment of all the installments.
• D. The student who owes previous financial installments to the funding department.
• E. A student who has been subjected to disciplinary punishment of depriving him of some University’s benefits, such as subsidy, loans from the student funding department and other benefits

The College of Education organizes an awareness campaign for people with special needs

https://qu.edu.sa/content/news/683 [3]

The College of Education, represented by the Department of Special Education, carried out an awareness and educational campaign under the slogan "With you and you", last Thursday, which was inaugurated by Dr. Ali Al-Saif, Vice President for Educational Affairs at the Othaim Mall in Buraidah, with the aim of raising the awareness of the community about the special educational and rehabilitation programs used with individuals with special needs, where the participants in the campaign sensitized visitors to those programs, in addition to how to support this category in all fields, especially in education, training and employment, and introduce the community to them, and promote the concept of integration of people with special needs. Special needs in society, encouraging them to trust themselves and their abilities on the one hand, and developing the abilities of those working with individuals with special needs on the other.

The campaign also included several pillars, including: a corner on autism disorder, a corner on talent and excellence, a corner of learning difficulties, a corner of mental disability, speech and speech disorders, and visual impairment, where each corner included the definition of the concept expressed and the causes, characteristics, diagnosis, training and therapeutic programs, in addition to instructions for parents in how to deal with people with special needs, as well as a special corner to provide consultations to mothers with special needs, in the presence of blind students from the Department of Education who submitted some work to the attendees.

In the presence of the Emir of Qassim University and the Department of Education sign an agreement to strengthen partnership and exchange of experiences between them

https://qu.edu.sa/content/news/788 [4]

Qassim University signed a joint cooperation agreement with the General Directorate of Education in the Qassim Region, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud, Governor of Qassim Region, in order to strengthen the bonds of work and partnership between the two parties and exchange experiences and means in order to develop the educational process, develop students' skills, student activities and programs, in addition to paying attention to the gifted, investing in the time of young people, activating scientific research and identifying and activating cooperation mechanisms between them. 

This agreement, signed on behalf of the University by Dr. Ali Al-Saif, Vice President for Educational Affairs, and on behalf of the Department of Education, Mr. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Rukayan, Director General of Education in the Qassim Region, stems from the directives of His Highness the Amir of the Qassim Region, on the integration of efforts and the strengthening of cooperation and partnership relations between the various development bodies in the region, and in support of the relations of cooperation and partnership between the University and the General Directorate of Education in the Qassim Region. 

The two signatories to the agreement aspire to achieve their common goals, which are to build the student's Islamic, national and intellectual personality cognitively, skillfully and values, work to promote loyalty and national belonging and consolidate the correct concepts among students of both sexes, in addition to providing advanced and accredited education to prepare integrated competencies that meet the needs of the labor market, support sustainable development programs and projects in the Qassim region, and contribute to building a knowledge society. 

The agreement also aims to provide community services and distinguished applied research in a way that promotes the local community and contributes to building the knowledge economy, using the latest administrative, technical and informatics methods, and contribute to the service of society through training and continuous education, and consolidate the concepts of sustainable development, environmental conservation, and information awareness, in addition to making available various sources of information for sober educational, research and applied purposes, especially related to community issues, and the required construction, development and maintenance of those resources. 

For his part, Dr. Ali Al-Saif, Vice President for Educational Affairs, stressed that this agreement is expected to enhance cooperation between the General Directorate of Education in Qassim and the faculties and deanships of the university in the field of public lectures, seminars, specialized training programs, research and specialized scientific studies, participate in the implementation of special programs for people with special needs, and encourage scientific studies and research in these fields. 

Al-Saif added that under this agreement, joint working groups will be formed between the two parties, holding workshops, meetings and visits needed by joint programs and activities, and providing mutual facilities from both parties in order to achieve the optimal environment for the implementation of joint programs and activities.

A graduate of the university defies disability.. His Highness the Amir of Qassim includes it in the Anemone of Men Award and His Excellency the President of the University directs its acceptance in graduate studies

https://qu.edu.sa/content/news/2581 [5]

I lost my sight.. But it did not lose the insight, the passion for life and excellence.. And the love of science and the yearning to learn and enter the midst of life defying all the difficulties she faced, to overcome at first her visual impairment, and then to proceed step by step towards achieving her ambitions, which are no less than those of healthy students, and even surpass him with determination, determination and overcoming difficulties. 

She is the blind student Jihan Mohammed Al-Majidil, one of the graduates of the eighteenth batch of the university, who graduated with distinction from the specialization of Islamic law at the university, relying on her abilities and self-confidence, and her skill in using modern technology and adapting it to suit her needs and health condition, and what qualified her for excellence and success at all stages of study. 

The graduate "Jihan" provided a role model of determination and determination that abounds in our dear Kingdom, as she is one of the girls of this giving country whose wise government – may God protect it – supports all its citizens, especially those with special needs who receive the care and care of the state to help them achieve their ambitions and aspirations. 

From this standpoint, His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Qassim Province, after hearing and witnessing the story of blind graduate "Jihan", during his generous sponsorship of the graduation ceremony of the eighteenth batch at the university, was quick to announce the inclusion of "Jihan" in the Anemone of Men Award in the Emirate of Qassim Region, wishing that she would be among the winners, and announced that the mechanism of benefiting from it will be sought in the jury, because it is an honorable model. 

His Highness said: "We thank Allah that there are some of our children who are armed with faith in Allah the Almighty, and possess this will, determination and self-determination, and congratulations to the homeland for the presence of these parables of distinguished students in the Qassim region and throughout the Kingdom. 

For his part, His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, announced the admission of the graduate "Jihan Al-Majidal" to the graduate program in recognition of her struggle and excellence, and for being one of the honorable models of the university.

Maps & Directions

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/9 [6]

Disability Parking Map

The Deanship of Student Affairs at the University Holds the "Rowad for Persons with Disabilities" Program

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2851 [7]

The Deanship of Student Affairs at the University held yesterday, Sunday, 10/5/1444 AH, the "Pioneers for Persons with Disabilities" program, in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where the program included organizing several events that included an exhibition, workshops and consultations, in the main lobby of the university city, in the presence of His Excellency the Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Al-Sharekh. 

The exhibition reviewed the Kingdom's efforts in supporting persons with disabilities, and the university's efforts in this field by preparing the infrastructure and facilitating this category of society to obtain their services, as the university established a permanent committee for the care of persons with disabilities, in addition to guidance and guidance support for them, and coordination with colleges and deanships to provide the necessary support to serve these students, guidance and academic support, as well as facilitating communication with entities outside the university. 

The role of the Standing Committee for the Care of Persons with Disabilities at the university was also reviewed, which specializes in considering the social and psychological problems and study they face, and helping them find appropriate solutions to them, as well as creating opportunities for them to express their talents and develop their abilities to enable them to make appropriate decisions, in addition to supervising the transfer of severe cases to the competent authorities and determining the necessary projects for infrastructure equipment at the university in a manner commensurate with people with disabilities, as well as activities and programs for persons with disabilities through participation in various Events. 

It is noteworthy that the number of students with disabilities studying at the university is 272 students in various colleges, including 150 students with motor disabilities, 86 students with visual disabilities, in addition to 36 students with hearing disabilities.

The University Holds Several Meetings within the "Himmam" Virtual Program on the Occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2386 [8]

The University, represented by the Deanship of Student Affairs, organized several scientific meetings within the virtual program held on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities entitled "Himmam", in cooperation with the Department of Special Education at the College of Education, on Thursday, 18/4/1442 AH, where the program contained several virtual meetings that dealt with many aspects of the academic life of students of determination, and reviewed some of their university experiences and academic excellence in successfully passing the university stage. 

The first meeting was held under the title "People with Disabilities in the University Environment", and was presented by Dr. Muhammad Al-Ajlan, Chairman of the Standing Committee for the Care of Persons with Disabilities at the University, Dean of the Deanship of Student Affairs, and Dr. Muhammad Al-Obaid, member of the Committee, and Head of the Department of Special Education, where the meeting discussed a number of axes, including: preparation in the university environment, educational auxiliary services, and support services. 

While the second meeting, which was held under the title "Student Lights" with a group of university students with disabilities, dealt with a number of axes, namely: the experiences of students with disabilities at the university, (deaf, people with motor disabilities, and the blind). 

The third and final meeting was held under the title "Global Trends on Disability", and was presented by Dr. Theeb Al-Mutairi, Associate Professor of Special Education at the Department of Special Education, in which he spoke about universal access, support and inclusion for persons with disabilities.

References

[1] [Online]. Available: .https://dsa.qu.edu.sa/content/p/237

[2] [Online]. Available: .https://qa.qu.edu.sa/files/shares/handbooks/Student%20Manual.pdf

[3] [Online]. Available: .https://qu.edu.sa/content/news/683

[4] [Online]. Available: .https://qu.edu.sa/content/news/788

[5] [Online]. Available: .https://qu.edu.sa/content/news/2581

[6] [Online]. Available: .https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/9

[7] [Online]. Available: .https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2851

[8] [Online]. Available: .https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2386