Based on the great interest in learning sign language and the search for mechanisms and methods for learning it, the Social Solidarity Unit at Ain Shams University organized a training course “to teach sign language,” which is the means of communication used by people with special needs. The training targeted university students and volunteers in the unit.

Under the auspices of Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, under the supervision of Prof. Salah Hashem, Advisor to the Ministry of Social Solidarity for Social Policies and General Coordinator of Social Solidarity Units in Universities, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development, in the training halls of the University’s Innovation Building (ihub), with the aim of spreading the culture of integration between students with special needs and the rest of the university’s students.

This came under the supervision and coordination of Prof. Nevin Assem, CEO of the Innovation and Training Sector at the University, and the preparation and implementation of Mr. Abdul Rahman Fawzi, official and coordinator of the social solidarity unit at the university, and Mrs. Aya Wanis, Awareness Officer at the Social Solidarity Unit at Ain Shams University, and Mrs. Nermin Kamil is a sign language translator and trainer, in charge of training in the course.

Mr. Abdul Rahman Fawzi pointed out the goals of the unit in the axis of awareness and volunteering and the Egyptian Volunteer Bank, providing services to students in various fields, and providing many training courses. Among the services provided by the unit are paying the expenses of students who are unable, people of determination, and students of solidarity and dignity, and providing compensatory devices for students with disabilities.

The workshop dealt with learning the Arabic letters in sign language from “A to Z” and foods. A discussion session was held in sign language between the students, learning greetings, distinguishing between colors, and a practical application of dialogue and how to ask and respond.

About 60 students from various faculties and a group of active volunteers in the unit also participated in the course.

In conclusion, a dialogue was opened by Mr. Abdel Rahman Fawzi with the students to answer their inquiries about volunteering, specifically introducing them to the Egyptian Volunteer Bank and the activities provided by the Solidarity Unit at Ain Shams University.