Disability Award given to 15 individuals, organizations

Disability Award – given by Ministry of Gender and Family and Disability Council to those who advocate for the rights of people with disabilities – have been handed out to 15 individuals and organizations this year.

45 applications were sent for the awards this year, and the 15 individuals and organizations which won the awards in the nine categories were given their awards in a ceremony held at Dharubaaruge this Sunday morning.

Five exceptional people with disabilities, and five people with disabilities who gained international recognition in different fields were awarded.

Exceptional people with disabilities awarded were:

• Mohamed Awwam, Aasam/S. Meedhoo

• Dheena Latheef, Naares

• Nazeeha Abdul Sattar, Dhilbahaaruge/H. Dh. Kurinbi

• Al-Hafiz Abdul Rasheed Mohamed, Vavathi/Sh. Feydhoo

• Ahmed Najeeb, Feerozge/G. A. Vilingili

People and entities that work for the welfare of people with disabilities were awarded from five categories.

Shathurath Shakir from G. Dh. Thinadhoo – who has more than 12 years of experience in educating people with disabilities, and Zihunath Hassan from S. Hithadhoo – who provides free tuition to autistic children and children with Downs Syndrome and sponsors training programs for special needs education teachers won the Disability Award as exemplary civilians who work for the betterment of people with disabilities.

Managing Director of Maldives Autism Association, Ifham Hussain and Fathimath Zameel from Ma. Vaaveyo Villa in Male’ won the Disability Award from the category of exemplary professionals working for betterment of people with disabilities.

Jamaluddin School – which runs classes for children with hearing impairments and Hafiz Ahmed School of Gn. Fuvahmulah – which has been running special education classes for children with disabilities from 2011 won the Disability Award as exemplary educational institutions which provide assistance to people with disabilities.

Radio channel VFM 99 – run by VMedia Group won the Disability Award for exemplary work in raising awareness regarding disabilities. And Ali Fulhu Thuthu Foundation won the

Disability Award for its financial assistance to people with disabilities.

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) was given the Disability Award for their special initiative to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities within the organization, while Beautiful Eyes Down Syndrome Association was also given the award – as a private company which provides exemplary service to people with disabilities.