Oman Launches Occupational Rehabilitation Halls for Adults with Severe Disabilities

In Muscat, Oman, the Ministry of Social Development inaugurated the halls for the Occupational Rehabilitation Program for persons aged eighteen and above with severe and multiple disabilities. The launch ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Abdullah Hamoud Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry for Persons with Disability Affairs. The project was financed by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).

Program Scope and Beneficiaries

This initiative forms part of the Ministry’s strategy to improve rehabilitation services and promote empowerment and societal integration of people with disabilities. It aims to help participants develop independent abilities and engage in manual, motor and artistic activities matched to their individual capacities and needs, while offering rehabilitation programmes that consider age‑related factors and personal differences, and encouraging coordination among various specialisations and service providers.

More than one hundred individuals with severe and multiple disabilities, enrolled in centres linked to the Department of Specialized Rehabilitation Centres, are benefiting from the new halls. These centres include the Physical Disability and Cerebral Palsy Centre, the Intellectual Disability Centre and the Down Syndrome Centre. The programme also works with female technical assistants who support this group, training them in contemporary rehabilitation techniques and approaches. The Ministry plans to extend the lessons learned from this experience to all other government‑run rehabilitation centres under its authority.

Activities Offered

The programme features a wide range of activities such as life‑skills training, self‑care instruction, psychomotor exercises, group play, manual and practical tasks, vocational preparation, drawing, colouring and artistic and musical pursuits. These components are intended to strengthen beneficiaries’ self‑reliance, widen their opportunities for social participation and enhance their overall quality of life.

Environment and Wider Impact

The halls provide a secure and stimulating setting that respects the abilities and requirements of users and assists staff in delivering integrated rehabilitation programmes. In addition, the facility helps ease the psychological strain on families of persons with severe and multiple disabilities by offering specialised and supportive services.