Airport staff receive QRI's training on
assisting passengers with disabilities

Tribune News Network
Doha
HAMAD Medical Corporation's (HMC) newly opened Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) recently organised a training course for staff from Hamad International Airport (HIA) on how to best assist passengers with disabilities.
The three-day course was attended by 26 participants from various sections of HIA, including Qatar Aviation Services and Al Maha Services.
"I am delighted with the success of this specialised training course, the first of its kind in collaboration with Hamad International Airport," said Dr Wafa al Yazeedi, chairperson of QRI.
"It is extremely important that the specific needs of people with disabilities are considered and met by large organisations and public facilities in Qatar. Through this course, we aim to share the expertise of our clinical teams at QRI with staff from HIA so they are able to offer people with disabilities the very best experience possible when visiting the airport," added Dr Yazeedi.
The training coupled theory with practical workshops that focused on communication, providing appropriate assistance to people with various kinds of disabilities (physical, sensory and intellectual), and handling associated equipment (e.g. wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and hearing aids).
Course trainers were medical and allied health professionals from the QRI, including physicians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists. Individuals with disabilities and their family members who have experienced travelling via HIA also participated.
During the training, course participants spent time at HMC's Bayt Aman, QRI's residential facility for expatriate workers who have completed medical treatment and are waiting to return home. Hussam Halawi, customer care manager at Qatar Aviation Services, explained:"Our team was very happy to spend time between the QRI and Bayt Aman and gained both theoretical and practical experience from the experts and patients. At Bayt Aman, we saw staff and patients interacting firsthand and we witnessed the difference effective support can make."