Doha: The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (Daam) has signed a funding agreement with the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) to support Mada - Assistive Technology Centre Qatar.
Under the agreement, Daam will provide three years of funding to back the Mada Innovation Programme and the Centre’s Digital Accessibility Service for persons with disabilities.
This partnership reflects the pioneering role played by Daam and the companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange in supporting social initiatives, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
It also strengthens cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development and Family to promote innovation in assistive technology, integrate people with disabilities, and enable them to participate more fully in society and achieve greater independence.
The Mada Innovation Programme supports innovators in developing technological solutions tailored to persons with disabilities and the elderly, offering both funding and consulting opportunities.
The programme targets entrepreneurs with ready-made solutions that require financial backing to reach the market, as well as those with viable concepts. It also sponsors international competitions that encourage creativity in the field of assistive technology.
A central component of the program is the Mada Innovation Award, the first of its kind to focus on technological solutions in Arabic and to promote digital accessibility for people with disabilities. The annual award empowers innovators to transform their ideas into products that meet market needs, whether in the form of hardware, software, or smartphone applications.
As part of the agreement, Daam will also support Mada’s Digital Accessibility Service, which provides assistive technology and devices free of charge to persons with disabilities and the elderly in Qatar. The service includes assessing individual needs, identifying appropriate devices and solutions, providing training sessions to ensure effective use, and offering ongoing technical support.
Since its establishment in 2010, Daam has launched numerous projects and initiatives in cultural, social, sports, and charitable fields. Contributions from listed companies on the Qatar Stock Exchange remain among the Fund’s most important financial resources, making it a key partner in driving community development.