President Abbas donates a piece of land to PRCS’ Total Communication Center (School for hearing impaired students)

(Ramallah, 31-3-2011): President Mahmoud Abbas called today for the activation and implementation of the Disabled Rights Law to fulfill the needs of disabled persons. He also donated a piece of land to PRCS to host a school for disabled persons.

At a meeting with students from PRCS’ Total Communication Center at the Palestinian Presidency headquarters in Ramallah, President Abbas also announced that the President’s Office shall cover the study expenses of any student who graduates from the Total Communication Center.

“I am very happy to meet with this category of Palestinians who enjoy a strong will and are determined to play a major role in building this dear homeland and to ensure their integration. We must give them every opportunity to fulfill their dreams and hopes. I can see in your eyes the desire to reach your goals, and I believe that nothing can prevent you from reaching them because you have defied your disability with your strong will and your perseverance to complete your education. Your families should be proud and not ashamed of you, as most geniuses throughout history have suffered from disabilities. God gave your minds so you can overcome challenges and play an active and productive role within the Palestinian society, and we shall make every effort to help you. I am happy to see that you now have your own secondary school and I assure you that we shall cover the study expenses of each of its graduates. However, it is equally important to ensure that you benefit from work opportunities so you can live a decent life. We shall help cover all your material needs such as books and tools, and we shall be at you service to enable you to play an active role in society, be a source of pride for your families and serve your community”, Abbas said.

As for Dr. Al Khatib, he said that PRCS has established four schools for the deaf in Palestine, including a high school, to enable these students to enter universities. “PRCS is at the forefront in this field on both the Arab and the international levels, winning several distinctions and prizes in this field”, he added.

On behalf of students, Al Khatib offered President Abbas the new sign dictionary produced by PRCS. This is the first such dictionary in Palestine and has been deposited at the League of Arab States.

A student gave a speech on behalf of her fellow students in which she spoke about obstacles and challenges encountered during the creation and development of these schools for the deaf. However, all these obstacles have been overcome thanks to a very strong will and determination to reach the desired goals. “Our joy is great now that a secondary school has been opened. Two students have already graduated from the Total Communication Center and now we have received this kind gesture by President Abbas to cover our higher education expenses. Moreover, this school is important as it supervises the training of teachers for deaf students in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. It also helps develop sign language to use it to teach the national curriculum”, she said.