Keif Shayefha Tour within the “Inclusive University” Campaign

Keif Shayefha Tour, entitled “Enhancing the higher educational response to the inclusion of people with hearing disabilities in educational programs”. It comes as part of the “Inclusive University” Campaign implemented by the Social Developmental Forum and Wasla Center for Digital Advocacy in partnership with Palestinian Graduates Organization, Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, Women Affairs Center, and The Culture and Free Thought Association- Wesal Network. The campaign seeks to advocate the right to higher education for people with hearing disabilities.

35 participants with and without disabilities took a part in the tour as representatives of the partners. The tour targeted three main stations, the first was the University College of ability development -the Palestinian Red Crescent Society -Khan Younis passing through to the second station, Palestine Technical College in Deir Al-Balah, and finally to the third station, the Islamic University – Gaza.

The youth started the sessions with representatives of each organization, which in turn enhanced dialogue, listening, and social accountability skills. The tour was very vital through the youth’s interaction, asking questions and explanations of the roles of each hosting party in achieving the right to higher education for people with hearing disabilities.

In the same context, youth were introduced to the duties and responsibilities of each party along with their policies, and future strategic plans in terms of the inclusion of people with hearing disabilities in higher education.

Sahar Al Buhaisi, a participant in the tour, expressed her experience, saying “My participants in Keif Shayefha was fun and informative. The tour contributed to my understanding of terms associated with people with hearing disabilities and it would be great to participate in similar tours that are instrumental to the society occasionally. She added that the tour was one of the most fun and exciting and it ignited her passion for future tours.

Throughout the first station, the University College of ability development presented success stories highlighting the graduation of three persons with hearing disabilities with a BA in special breeding and rehabilitation major from the college. Palestine Technical College shared the desire to open more disciplines and degrees within its new project as a first step towards the inclusivity of people with hearing disabilities in its educational programs. Representatives and duty bearers at the Islamic University – Gaza addressed the knowledge background of people with hearing disabilities and discussed how best to work on solutions in the future.

Dr. Hasan Abu Al-amreen, the representative of the Islamic University, said, “we are delighted to see the efforts of young people and NGOs in campaigns supporting the rights of people with hearing disabilities. My recommendation is to go on with similar campaigns to advocate for the rights of different groups to enjoy their rights with no restrictions. This can only take a place through the engagement of all relevant institutions, universities, ministries, and the government to support the rights of people with hearing disabilities in improving their educational and professional skills.”

By the end of each station, youth made a set of recommendations for representative organizations, ensuring the importance of effective inclusion inside the campus and their right to study different majors in different degrees.

Zayyoun Al Abbadi, the coordinator if the campaign from SDF, said “Keif Shayefha tour is one of the crucial tools towards social accountability which is led by youth as change makers. Recommendations made by youth will be followed up with relevant institutions to achieve the campaign’s goals effectively.”

It is essential to mention that Keif Shayefha tour within “Inclusive University” is implemented in partnership with different NGOs in collaboration with the German Cooperation Agency GIZ.