Event Report: Report by: Abdul Mussawir (QuettaOnline)
Organizers: The collaborative effort of the successfully orchestrated the event.

Certainly! The Social Welfare Department, along with Quetta online Volunteers and The Special
Ones (TSO), which is an organization supporting people with various disabilities, worked together
as a team to make an event happen. The Social Welfare Department focuses on helping people in
the community and providing different services to Persons with Disabilities including Education,
Accessibility and mobility, and issuing Disability Certificates to Persons with Disabilities.
Quetta online Volunteers are individuals who offer their time and support voluntarily for
community activities since last 13 Years and achieved various Goals, Focused on Disability,
Environment Protection, Helping People, Talent Promotion, Women and Youth Empowerment.
The Special Ones (TSO) is a group that specifically works with and supports people with different
kinds of disabilities.

Stakeholders:]

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities event on December 3rd, 2023, was a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders. These organizations played a role in organizing the event seamlessly. Here’s a breakdown of the key contributors:

• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund): An international organization that focuses on
  reproductive health, gender equality, and population issues.
• BRSP (Balochistan Rural Support Program)
• PPAF (Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund): Focused on poverty alleviation and sustainable
  development in Pakistan
• UNIOM (United Nations International Organization for Migration
• Quetta Online Volunteers
• The Special Ones: An organization specifically mentioned earlier, working for PWDs.
• Islamic Relief Pakistan: An international humanitarian organization providing aid and
  development programs.
• Mercy Corps Pakistan: An organization involved in humanitarian and development work.
• WFP (World Food Programme
• Hands Pakistan: A non-profit organization involved in social and development initiatives.
• UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
• Inception (Women Lead Women with Disabilities Organization)
  The involvement of these diverse stakeholders suggests a comprehensive and well-supported effort
  to organize the event for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Their collaboration
  likely contributed to the success and effectiveness of the event in promoting awareness and support
  for persons with disabilities

Chief Guest: Hon’ble Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Khan Doomki

Guest of Honor:

Madam Shania (Advisor to CM Social Welfare Department) and Muhammad Hamza Shafqat (Commissioner Quetta Division)

Theme: The overarching theme for this significant gathering was “United in action to rescue and
achieve the SDGs for, with, and by persons with disabilities.

The event unfolded with a warm welcome note delivered by DG Social Welfare Tariq Mengal
Sahb. Tariq Mengal Sahb, who holds the position of Director General in the Social Welfare
Department, extended a heartfelt welcome to all the participants and stakeholders of the
International Day of Persons with Disabilities event. In his welcoming address, he expressed
appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the organizers, including the Social Welfare Department
staff, Quettaonline Volunteers, and The Special Ones Team, for successfully arranging the event.
Tariq Mengal Sahb also took the opportunity to thank all the stakeholders for their valuable
contributions to this important cause. He acknowledged their commitment to achieving an
inclusive society and working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Highlighting
the alignment of this year’s IDPD 2023 theme with the SDGs and Persons with Disabilities
(PWDS), he emphasized the significance of such events in promoting these global goals.
Expressing a strong belief in collaboration, Tariq Mengal Sahb conveyed that working together
can achieve more for persons with disabilities. He concluded his remarks by reinforcing the
importance of collective efforts in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for
individuals with disabilities.
Welcome by Special Education Students:
Special Education Students, guided by Ms. Naseeba, a Vocational Teacher from BDPC Quetta,
presented a captivating welcome tableau. These Special Education Students, who are children with
disabilities, showcased their unique talents despite facing challenges. Among them were students
with various disabilities, including those who are deaf, blind, and physically disabled.
Adding a touch of cultural diversity, all the students adorned Balochistan Cultural Dresses
during the presentation. This thoughtful choice aimed to highlight the rich and diverse cultural
heritage of Balochistan. By wearing these cultural dresses, the students symbolically displayed
different colors of the culture, emphasizing the promotion of peace, harmony, and brotherhood.
The students warmly welcomed the participants, holding play cards with welcoming messages.
Their welcoming tableau was not only visually appealing but also carried a heartfelt message of
inclusivity and acceptance. To enhance the experience, the Special Education Students performed
a welcome song, showcasing their musical and artistic talents. The audience was genuinely
overwhelmed by the students’ heartfelt performance, demonstrating resilience, creativity, and the
power of inclusion in making events memorable and impactful.

6. Inspirational Stories and Recognitions (10:45 to 11:05 am):
   Attendees were inspired by the success stories of Women with Disabilities and PWDs, shared
   by Shazia Anwar. These individuals, including Mr. Saeedullah Armani, Mr. Nadir, and Mr.
   Muhammad Qaseem, exemplify the resilience and determination of Persons with Disabilities
   (PWDs) in overcoming challenges and achieving success.
   Mr. Saeedullah Armani, despite facing mobility issues, drew inspiration from the Disability
   heroes of Quettaonline. Motivated by their stories, he pursued education and eventually secured a
   government job, showcasing the transformative power of motivation and determination.
   Mr. Nadir, a person with a disability using crutches, initially supported his family by riding a
   rickshaw. Upon joining the Quettaonline Volunteer Team, he took inspiration from the altruistic
   cause and began offering free rickshaw rides to PWDs, the blind, patients, and blood donors. His
   story illustrates the positive impact of community involvement and the ripple effect of inspiration
   from others.
   Mr. Muhammad Qaseem, a wheelchair user, faced accessibility issues during his education
   journey. However, witnessing the inspirational and successful personalities of PWDS in
   Balochistan motivated him to pursue higher education and eventually secure a job. His experience highlights the importance of addressing accessibility challenges to promote equal opportunities for PWDs
7. Miss Shazia Anwar, a woman with disabilities, faced educational limitations in childhood due to family awareness issues. Despite these challenges, she has become an entrepreneur, demonstrating the potential for personal and professional growth even in the face of initial setbacks.
8. Miss Washnaz, a blind student of an intermediate college, initiated her own embroidery
9. business after joining the Quettaonline and TSO Team. Her entrepreneurial venture showcases the
10. potential for economic empowerment among PWDs when provided with opportunities and
11. support.
12. These PWDs, in focusing on mobility and accessibility issues, shed light on the barriers
13. prevalent in society. They also highlight the need for more opportunities, both in terms of
14. employment and entrepreneurship, to ensure inclusivity and equal participation in various aspects
15. of life for Persons with Disabilities.
16. The above distinguished Disability Heroes were honored through a shield, highlighting their
17. remarkable contributions.
18. Creative Performances & Best Teacher Shields (11:05 to 11:30 am):
    Led by Miss Benzir from HIC, BDPC Qta, Special Education Students delivered a compelling
    tableau performance at the event. Focused on “Educational and Societal Barriers for Persons with
    Disabilities,” the students portrayed key challenges:
    Limited Access to Education:
    Depicted obstacles like infrastructure limitations and the lack of accessible materials, emphasizing
    the need for inclusive teaching methods.
    Societal Stigma and Prejudice:
    Symbolically addressed prejudices and stigmas, highlighting the importance of fostering
    understanding and acceptance in the community.
    Inclusive Education Advocacy:
    Advocated for inclusive education practices, emphasizing equal opportunities for all learners,
    regardless of abilities.
    Empowerment and Overcoming Barriers:
    Concluded with a powerful message of empowerment, showcasing resilience and community
    support as means to overcome challenges.
    This captivating performance not only mesmerized the audience but also initiated reflection on the
    hurdles faced by persons with disabilities. Through artistic expression, the students advocated for
    inclusivity, inspiring positive change in both education and society.
    Acknowledging Outstanding Contributions: Best Teacher Awards
    In a notable highlight of the event, the prestigious Best Teacher Awards were presented to
    Special Education Teachers. These accolades, bestowed by Quettaonline Volunteers and the TSO
    team, were granted based on the recommendation of the UNICEF Team following a thorough
    scrutiny process. The teachers exhibited exemplary performance throughout the year 2023,
    demonstrating their unwavering commitment to shaping the lives of students with disabilities.
    The distinguished award ceremony was graced by esteemed personalities:
    Madam Shania (Advisor to CM for Social Welfare Department): Presented the awards,
    recognizing the teachers’ outstanding dedication.