AMHERST — A Moroccan woman partnering with Stavros Center for Independent Living to learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act — independent living models and accessibility for public spaces — will present her findings to the public.
A fellow from Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism participating in what is known as the Hands Across the Ocean program, Hanaa Adarrab, of Casablanca, is giving a talk at Stavros’ headquarters at 210 Old Farm Road at 2 p.m. Friday.
Adarrab, an auditor of control and monitoring for tourist establishments in her city, chose to use the fellowship opportunity to focus on accessibility after she had to use crutches on a temporary basis following a recent accident. What she experienced was a city lacking ramps, elevators and curb cut-outs, as well as adequate public transportation for people with mobility challenges.
Adarrab said in a statement that she hopes to convince the Ministry of Tourism to make changes in their guest houses and to work with the Regional Delegation of Tourism to improve lodging.
“We have unclear, ambiguous information about specifications for accessible rooms. I want to try to bring these standards to Morocco,” Adarrab said.
During her time in the Amherst area, supported through the collaboration between Stavros, the Institute for Training and Development in Amherst and the U.S. State Department’s Professional Fellows Program, Adarrab learned about the independent living model and legislative efforts by Stavros; shadowed advocates providing counseling, skills training and support to people with disabilities; studied the Americans with Disabilities Act and the history of the civil rights movement; and participated in the Home Sweet Home Program that provides accessibility ramps and home modifications to people with disabilities.
Stavros will be staying in touch with Adarrab when she returns to Morocco and will continue to provide technical assistance as she pursues improvements to disability rights and accessibility issues.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
