“Ataa” funds the “Unlimited Capabilities” project to support people with autism
Date Released
29 December, 2025
A cooperation protocol was signed between the Charitable Investment Fund for the Support of People with Disabilities (Ataa) and the Egyptian Association for the Advancement of People with Disabilities and Autism (Advance) to fund the "Abilities Without Borders" project. The protocol was signed by Ms. Amira Al-Rifai, Executive Director of the Fund, and Ms. Maha Al-Hilali, Chairwoman of the Association's Board of Directors.
Professor Mohamed Ashmawy, Vice Chairman of the Fund's Board of Directors, stated that the primary objective of the proposed project is to enhance the efficiency of 27 associations that provide support to children with intellectual disabilities, developmental disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. This project will train and certify 162 of their specialists, who have completed the qualifications of 1,080 children with autism and similar developmental disabilities. The project will also train 1,620 additional specialists and 1,080 parents in nine governorates across the country, including Upper Egypt (Sohag, Assiut, and Minya); the Delta (Damietta, Gharbia, Dakahlia, and Sharqia); and the Canal Region (Suez and Port Said). This will also include the production of a series of educational videos on autism for parents and novice specialists.
Ashmawy pointed out that the bank has placed the issues of people with disabilities at the top of its priorities, based on the directives of Ms. Nevin El-Qabbaj, Minister of Social Solidarity and Chairperson of the Bank's Board of Directors. She has given special attention to people with autism. The Ministry previously launched the Autism Services Center in 2018 and supports civil society organizations working in this field to care for and defend the rights of people with autism, including health, education, community integration, employment, and all services. This is in line with the importance of raising community awareness of the rights of people with autism and helping them lead normal lives as productive individuals within society, interact with others, and develop their mental abilities.
Ashmawy explained that the Egyptian Association for the Advancement of People with Disabilities and Autism (Advance) was chosen due to its efforts to improve the level of services available to people with autism and similar developmental disabilities in Egypt by rehabilitating children with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders to help them progress, achieve independence, and achieve better integration into society.
