Manal Al-Ashwal once lived a life filled with opportunities and dreams for the future. A highly motivated individual with aspirations in sports, education and professional development, she was ready to make her mark on the world. But life had different plans. Born deaf, Manal faced challenges that many might never even consider. Over the years, these challenges transformed her path, shaping her personal and professional journey in ways she never imagined.
In 2009, Manal was selected as a coach for a table tennis training course in Sana’a, representing Taiz, her hometown, alongside three other trainers. This was a great opportunity to showcase her skills and further her career in sports. However, the excitement quickly turned to disappointment when the organizing committee refused to allow her participation. They argued that because the head coach was foreign and translation devices were to be provided, she, as a deaf person, would face difficulties communicating.
"They didn’t even discuss the issue with me or ask how we could solve it. They just decided to replace me," Manal recalls, bitterness in her voice.
This rejection was not an isolated incident. Time and time again, she found herself on the receiving end of societal prejudice, overlooked simply because of her disability.
Yet, despite these setbacks, Manal remained resilient. "For every door that closed, another opened," she says. She found solace in the supportive mentors she encountered along her academic journey, particularly during her doctoral research.
"My supervisors treated me like their best student. They always supported me and made me feel like I mattered, despite the challenges I face every day," she says.
These encouraging words from her professors and peers were a lifeline, helping her push forward in her academic and professional journey.
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The struggles of disabled individuals in Yemen
But Manal’s challenges were not confined to the workplace or education. She witnessed the struggles of disabled individuals across Yemen firsthand.
"The biggest barrier for people with disabilities is society itself," she explains. "People often look at us with pity, like we're less than human. The reality is, we have unique abilities — we just need the right accommodations."
For people with mobility impairments, the lack of accessible public transportation is a daily struggle.
"To this day, individuals in wheelchairs cannot get on buses because there are no ramps. They’re forced to rely on taxis, which is expensive and deprives them of basic rights, like going to school, university, or work," Manal explains.
Even more alarming, people with disabilities in Yemen are often denied office jobs because buildings are not equipped with elevators or accessible entrances.
"There are no ramps for people with visual impairments, no sign language interpreters in government offices, and no special parking spaces for people with disabilities. It’s as if we don’t even exist," she adds with frustration.
The situation is even worse in rural areas. Universities in Yemen have not provided adequate accommodations for deaf students, and those who do attend private universities often struggle financially, as public universities do not accept them.
"Taiz University had a great initiative to integrate deaf students into higher education, but they didn’t have interpreters, which makes learning even more difficult," she recalls.
The war in Yemen has exacerbated these challenges, making life even harder for people with disabilities. The conflict has led to the closure of many disability services, including transportation and housing assistance for students from rural areas. With fewer resources, many students with disabilities are unable to continue their education or pursue their careers.
"Many talented individuals with disabilities have been excluded from international events because of the war. It’s heartbreaking," Manal says.
Laws and policies that don’t work
Despite the dire situation, there are laws and policies on the books that are supposed to support the rights of disabled individuals in Yemen. In 1999, Yemen passed Law No. 61, aimed at protecting and rehabilitating people with disabilities. However, these laws are rarely implemented.
"Yemen signed the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, but since then, no report has been submitted on how the country has improved its policies," Manal says.
The National Dialogue Conference, which aimed to address issues such as disability rights, also failed to adequately represent the 12% of Yemen’s population who live with disabilities.
"There were only two representatives for the disabled community, which is far from adequate. We should have had larger and more diverse representation," she explains.
Even when policies are enacted, they often fall short.
"The law increased the number of jobs available for people with disabilities from 5% to 10%, but that’s hardly enough," she adds.
And while there were efforts to improve services for people with disabilities before the war, the ongoing conflict has reversed many of these gains.
A long road ahead
For Manal, the road to equality and accessibility remains long and filled with obstacles. But despite the hardships, she remains hopeful.
"There are positive signs, even though they are small. I’m always grateful for the support I receive from the people around me. But the system as a whole has a long way to go," she says.
Manal’s story is just one example of the struggles that people with disabilities face in Yemen. While the country has made some progress, much more needs to be done. The war has undoubtedly worsened the situation, but it has also brought attention to the needs of people with disabilities, providing an opportunity for change.
"In the end, the greatest barrier is not our disabilities but the attitudes of those around us. Once society recognizes our value and our rights, that will be the day when true change happens," Manal concludes.
Her story is a reminder that, despite overwhelming challenges, resilience and hope can shine through, lighting the way for a more inclusive future in Yemen.
