[Cairo, 8 September 2025] – Phoenix recently had the privilege of delivering a specialized workshop to Ataa Fund and Ebtesama Foundation, who are collaborating through the Forsat Tamkeen project on a joint initiative to support persons with disabilities.
The workshop, led by Dr. Dina Omar, CEO of Phoenix, focused on comprehensive disability assessment mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond traditional medical models toward functional, inclusive, and rights-based approaches. Dr. Omar explored how international frameworks and modern assessment tools can transform the way organizations design inclusive services and policies.
Key Themes and Discussions
Participants engaged with a range of key concepts, including:
• International frameworks such as the CRPD, ICF, and WHODAS 2.0.
• The impact of environmental and social barriers on participation and inclusion.
• The value of holistic evaluation in service design and policy-making.
• Innovative approaches like the “single-entry point” model for simplifying access.
• The distinction between eligibility and targeting when allocating resources.
• Ensuring sustainability and measuring long-term social impact.
Dr. Omar highlighted that adopting functional, rights-based approaches enables organizations to create systems where dignity and opportunity are at the core of every service.
Reflections from Ataa Fund
Following the workshop, Ataa Fund shared highly positive feedback about the experience.
“The functional assessment training conducted by Dr. Dina Omar was a very enriching experience for our team,” Ataa Fund stated. “The session was not only informative but also highly practical, introducing us to a structured and reliable method to monitor our funded projects more effectively.”
They noted that the workshop deepened their understanding of the purpose and methodology of functional assessments and underscored the importance of adopting a unified approach.
“The step-by-step explanations and real-life examples shared by Dr. Dina helped clarify many technical aspects and gave our team the confidence to begin applying the tool effectively,” they added.
Ataa emphasized the interactive nature of the session, which encouraged questions, reflection, and dialogue on how to adapt assessment tools to different field contexts. They recognized functional assessment as a foundation for designing better interventions and ensuring fair access to services for children with disabilities.
“Although we are still in the stage of preparing to use the tool in practice, the training has equipped us with the necessary knowledge and guidance to move forward,” Ataa said. “We are sincerely grateful to Dr. Dina for her time, effort, and dedication, and to Phoenix for supporting this process.”
Reflections from Ebtesama Foundation
Ebtesama Foundation also expressed its appreciation for the workshop, describing it as a valuable learning experience and a reflection of a fruitful partnership with Phoenix and Ataa Fund through Forsat Tamkeen.
“The leadership of Dr. Dina Omar, CEO of Phoenix, had a significant impact in enriching our knowledge by highlighting the evolution of disability assessment mechanisms worldwide, and the shift from the traditional medical approach to a comprehensive assessment based on participation, human rights, and the social model,” the Foundation shared.
Ebtesama highlighted the relevance of the workshop’s key topics—ranging from international conventions and functional assessment frameworks to modern models such as the single-entry point.
“We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Phoenix team for designing the Comprehensive Disability Assessment Form,” they noted. “This form reflects an advanced vision and a practical tool that enhances institutions’ ability to adopt a rights-based and participatory approach.”
They further affirmed their commitment to continued collaboration, adding:
“This workshop has added significant value to all participants from our team, and we look forward to further partnerships that promote inclusiveness and fairness in access to rights.”
A Shared Step Toward Inclusion
Reflecting on the event, Dr. Omar remarked:
“At Phoenix, we are committed to sharing knowledge and tools that enable institutions and foundations to build inclusive systems where dignity, opportunity, and equity are guaranteed for all.”
Phoenix extends its sincere appreciation to Ataa Fund and Ebtesama Foundation for their engagement, commitment, and partnership. This workshop marks a meaningful step toward strengthening inclusive practices and building sustainable, rights-based systems that ensure equal opportunities for all individuals with disabilities.