Major areas of research focused on by the Center’s projects and programs include: epidemiological; bio-medical; psychological; educational; technological; social; theological; law and regulatory; and public awareness; in addition to other associated disability research areas.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Epidemiology is the basic scientific tool with which public health professionals use to study disease. This area of study includes the development of disability databases and registries that yield information that serve policy makers and researchers in future strategic planning, policy, and program development. Examples of focus areas that are under epidemiological investigations by the Center include autism, birth defects, stroke, spinal muscular atrophy, inherited metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, and diseases caused by environmental effects such as mercury, asbestos, and lead exposure.
BIO-MEDICAL RESEARCH
Another research area that the Center focuses on is bio-medical disability research. Consanguinity in Saudi Arabia is amongst the highest in the world (45-60%). Preliminary prevalence rates show inherited metabolic diseases occur in 1/1000 live births in the Kingdom. Some genetic diseases, specifically recessive ones, display abnormal characteristics when inherited from both parents. By implementing premarital screening, we can detect carriers of those diseases and help prevent the prevalence of the condition. In cases where hereditary disease is known to occur, couples through research can be given options such as pre-implantation diagnosis that allows for the detection and prevention of the occurrence of disabilities in their off-spring. Once a child is born, early identification and intervention processes established by the Center should be implemented to prevent inherited metabolic and endocrine diseases among others.
It is estimated that there are over 7,500 autistic patients in the Kingdom. Autism is a behaviorally-defined condition in which children exhibit a range of behaviors such as inappropriate social or personal skills, communication difficulties, and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Not all genes and the subsequent characteristics in Autism are the same in every autistic child. Currently, there aren’t any coordinated efforts in developing programs that will address their needs. By initiating research programs that discuss this issue from multiple perspectives, we are able to better serve them.
Our ongoing studies aim at identifying the genes associated with specific disorders including autism, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and hearing loss, in addition to other diseases. Our aim is to develop early screening and identification strategies that permit us to employ interventional methods for such disorders, develop early diagnostic tools in preventing the occurrence of these diseases, and develop awareness and educational programs for those predisposed to debilitating and life threatening disorders.
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
In the developing world, specialists may not use diagnostic and assessment tools that can partially as well as conclusively diagnose various forms of disabilities. This is due to the unavailability of many linguistic and culturally appropriate normative tools for diagnosis. As it currently stands, Saudi Arabia lacks many needed psychological assessment tools that are appropriately standardized to the Saudi Arabic-speaking society. It is fundamental to design assessment tools, therapies, and interventions to enhance development for those with sensory, perceptual, cognitive, and communication disorders. One of the Center’s goals is to create and provide diagnostic tools that can be used more validly in this part of the world.
EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
A learning disability or developmental delay is a disorder that refers to a neurological difficulty that interferes with the learning process which manifests itself in language, attention deficits, motor weakness, and memory disorders. One form of learning disabilities is dyslexia which is the inability to recognize words on a page and simultaneously translate them into something meaningful due to neurological abnormalities within the brain. This results in problems with reading and in turn affects spelling, grammar, memory, concentration, and coordination. This can have an adverse effect on a child’s achievement, especially in their early educational years. In order to diagnose dyslexics, we aim to identify and/or develop appropriate tools that are standardized on the Saudi population. In addition, guidance programs for teachers and parents are being developed as well as technologically based educational programs.
Many of our projects focus on early intervention strategies that are designed to improve outcomes for those with disabilities by providing early, appropriate, and intensive interventions. This enhances the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities to minimize their potential for developmental delays such as physical, cognitive, adaptive, communicative, and social or emotional which can lead to future educational delays.
TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH
There are approximately 88,000 hard of hearing individuals in Saudi Arabia who live in isolation due to the lack of a standardized Arabic Sign Language and the necessary technology to facilitate their integration into society. The same holds true for visually impaired individuals, especially in the Arab world, who suffer greatly from a shortage of specialized resources and computer technologies that can enable them to live fulfilled lives. The Center aims to remove all barriers in order to integrate the visually and hard of hearing.
Developing assistive technologies is essential to bridge the gap of communication between the hard of hearing and visually impaired and the community at large. We have taken initiatives to harness the development of technology by supporting research projects such as the CyberGlove which recognizes continuous Arabic Sign Language and converts it to spoken language. Another project undertaken by the Center is the Computerized Braille Environment which enables the visually impaired to utilize a computer without requiring special equipment.
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SOCIAL RESEARCH
Public dependence on the media is constantly increasing due to the mounting interest in events and current affairs. Mass media in its different forms (auditory, visual, and orthographical) are main sources of information from which the public builds its opinions and thoughts. It also is a means by which attitudes, trends, and knowledge can be formed and developed.
We have conducted studies on local press efforts that seek to determine how the Saudi press handles disability issues. In addition, an assessment of the types of information services for persons with visual disabilities in the libraries (public, university, and research libraries) was performed within the Kingdom was assessed.
THEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Spirituality and religion are an essential part of daily life. The understanding of the status of people with disabilities within a theological perspective contributes to a better understanding of the needs and provisions that they will require to fulfill this aspect of their lives. Examples of theological research being conducted by the Center include projects that focus on accessibility to religious material, sermons, and activities for the visually and physically impaired, as well those individuals who are hard of hearing.
LAW & REGULATORY RESEARCH
The scientific outcomes of national programs at the Center expand old and provide new knowledge and guidelines that could potentially benefit the disabled. These research outcomes and resulting guidelines are provided as resource information offering opportunities for advocacy groups and policy makers within various governmental agencies. These groups form a consensus which helps facilitate these agencies in the development of policies and services. These include specific health care facilities and centers, development of special education schools and curricula, and creating environments that provide easy access for those with physical disabilities, among other benefits. These outcomes have a profound impact on the disabled through interventional strategies employed by various policy makers for developing services and programs of national importance. The Center plays a lead role in developing, proposing, and investing in research that identifies and affirms the rights of the disabled within the community they live in. This includes developing codes and legislative documents in collaboration with other governmental agencies.
The Center also supports programs that result in outcomes that serve as the foundation for future policy amendments and basic standards of practice development. This includes projects and programs that evaluate components of service delivery entities within the Kingdom in regard to architecture (i.e. disability accessibility), service cost, service delivery (i.e. medical, rehabilitation, and educational services), and administrative infrastructure.