After having distributed meals and food supplies to needy people during the month of Ramadan, the "Al Karama" association for people with disabilities in the Gharb region launched, on the occasion of the Throne Festival, an operation to distribute equipment and materials to several people with disabilities. The batch was composed of 92 wheelchairs for adults, 22 others for children, 18 crutches, 15 English canes, 5 wardrobes, and walkers. It should be noted that the Al Karama association carries out its actions in close collaboration with several partners. We can cite, in this regard, the INDH and components of national and foreign civil society. The association also has a regional reference centre for rehabilitation and readaptation. It receives several patients every day suffering from secondary functional limitations due in particular to damage to the central or peripheral nervous system, damage to the locomotor system, neuromuscular diseases, rheumatic diseases, congenital or acquired malformations. The centre also has physiotherapy and physical therapy rooms, a heated swimming pool intended for the rehabilitation of all types of disabilities, and an equipped sports hall. It is operational thanks to a multidisciplinary team of health professionals: doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, orthopaedists, animators, and nursing assistants. During the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the centre organises, for three days, open days to provide free examinations and physiotherapy sessions, sports meetings, etc. Created in 2011, the Al Karama centre is intended for any adult or child suffering from secondary functional limitations due to damage to the locomotor system, central or peripheral nervous systems, neuromuscular or rheumatic diseases, congenital or acquired malformations, as well as acquired or congenital morphostatic disorders. Three questions for Dr. Taoufik Lahlou: President of the "Al Karama" association "Society's view has clearly changed and the person with a disability is considered a person in their own right" People with specific needs face several obstacles. In your opinion, what are their main problems?

If we set aside economic factors, the person with a disability faces problems related to the application of laws. As an indication, we have a law on accessibility, but most administrations, infrastructures, and means of transport are devoid of equipment and paths allowing accessibility for disabled people. If I limit myself only to this factor, one can imagine the daily suffering of these citizens. There is also another factor that is not without interest. It concerns the qualified people for the care of the disabled. As everyone knows, disability calls for several specialties. However, there are certain specialties that do not exist here and others that are in insufficient numbers. These are, therefore, two major handicaps that stand before the disabled person. Has the perception of disability by society evolved?

I think that society is beginning to become aware of the problems related to disability. In this regard, when our association was created in 1995, we organised a ceremony for the distribution of wheelchairs. Among the beneficiaries, there was a 20-year-old young man who had never left his home because of his disability. The wheelchair he benefited from completely transformed his life. All this to say that disability was considered a taboo. Currently, society's view has clearly changed and the person with a disability is considered a person in their own right, knowing that each of us suffers more or less from a disability. In my opinion, disabled people are better and better integrated on a social level. I can say that the trend is gradually moving towards total integration. The proof is that we see more and more so-called disabled people who have succeeded professionally. In other words, a disabled person does not at all mean a diminished person. Are you supported in your actions by patrons?

Patrons as physical persons are few in number. On the other hand, we have very close relations with institutional ones. We have partnerships with NGOs like "Orthopédie sans frontières" in France, "Falaise pour Kénitra"… We are also supported by the INDH which allowed us the creation of the "Al Karama" multifunctional centre. The initiative also helps us at the level of operation and financing of devices and equipment for people who only aspire to live in dignity.