Doha
“Blind eyes with a sighted heart” is how Ikrami Ahmed Fouad’s family and friends describe him. Some may think he is burdened with what destiny has written for him, but upon getting to know him, one realises that his perception of his reality is quite different.
After majoring in English at university and following his passion for languages, translation, and assistive technologies for the visually impaired, Fouad worked as an Activities Coordinator and Assistive Technology Specialist at a Qatar-based centre for the blind. He is also part of several Qatar Foundation (QF) initiatives that are aimed at ensuring the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is accessible to all.
Fouad also loves football and playing chess.
Fouad grew up with four other siblings with visual impairment in a modest house, in a small town in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. His father came from a humble background with little education. Yet, he had an unbending determination and resolution to secure education for his five children at all costs.
“It has been a rugged road since my childhood,” says Fouad. “When I was a child, I attended a special school for the blind, and was isolated from the world. There was a gap that I felt during family gatherings, or any activities that were outside the school setting. I felt like an outsider.
“It got worse when I joined university. I suddenly found myself struggling without equipment for the visually impaired to keep up with sighted students. However, I never looked at it negatively. Instead, it was a challenge that taught me to depend on myself to achieve my goals.”
Not only did Fouad face obstacles during his time at university, but once he finished his studies, newer obstacles arose for him at work. “In the beginning of my professional life, during which I gained much experience, I faced a more difficult challenge, which is society’s incapacitating view of people with disabilities – the overlooking of their abilities and skills that qualify them to do a job, and, even further to that, its presupposition that they are unable to carry out the tasks. It’s as if they are being socially punished for a sin they did not commit.
“We are just like other members of society. Among us, you will find those with skills and competency required to do a specific job, as well as those not qualified for it, and lumping everyone together upsets the balance of justice,” Fouad explained.
Throughout his life, Fouad did not care much about society’s outlook and was preoccupied with achieving success in every step he took since enrolling in university. He began exploring how to obtain the necessary references to study and take notes given the limited technological tools at the time.
In his quest for solutions, he was able to obtain a Perkins brailler writer which helped him immensely in his studies. This was when he became interested in assistive technologies for people with visual impairment, believing in it as empowering tools, enhancing accessibility, and offering them further opportunities.
“I still remember the words one of our teachers used to say in school: Hardship upon the blind is a mercy,” Fouad said. “By that he meant to motivate us to be self-reliant and not to give up when facing challenges. I have always preferred to carry out tasks myself and find solutions no matter what until it became a way of life.
Stemming from his interest in watching football games and his passion for technology, Fouad took part in the Accessibility Forum in Qatar, a platform that brought together people with disabilities and decision-makers to evaluate the accessibility of services for all members of society.
He was also part of the Russia 2018 Observation delegation that learnt about the 2018 FIFA World Cup accessibility services for people with disabilities, and to apprise Qatar’s work in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Additionally, he took part in the preparations for the audio description service that was offered during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, which was to evaluate and review the service based on his experiences, and further developing it in preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Fouad also took part in the audio description service test carried out by Hamad Bin Khalifa University, a member of Qatar Foundation, to provide an audio description of the paintings to the visually impaired in art exhibitions hosted by Qatar National Library.
“If we compare Qatar today versus what it was 10 years ago, we can see how much effort the State has made, and continues to make, to enhance accessibility for all segments of society regardless of their abilities. We look forward to sustaining and developing these services and technological achievements for people with disabilities which promote inclusion, and shape the country’s legacy beyond the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” Fouad said.
Qatar Foundation recently unveiled a line-up of events and activities that will be taking place at Education City ahead of and during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – and which are open for everyone to enjoy.
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