We, the High Representatives of Member States, having met at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 10 February 2023,

Call for the involvement of women and girls with disabilities in all aspects of science education and research, to become agents of change and thought leaders in all stages of the sustainable development cycle, programs, and decision-making. This includes making information and science education accessible for blind women and girls such as the availability of documents in Braille at educational institutions,

The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) and AstroAccess, organized a high-level virtual conversation with the 12 Disabled Professional Team prior to departure in their historic Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G) Parabolic Flight, on Sunday 17 October 2021 from 11.15 – 11.45 US-EST.

On 17th October 2021, twelve professionals’ scientists, veterans, engineers, and artists with vision, mobility, and hearing disabilities made history. The Inaugural Zero-G Parabolic Flight #1 aims to advance disability inclusion in space exploration. The disabled Fellows tested the design for accessibility in zero-gravity and high gravity environments and carried out experimentation, data collection, and demonstration tasks. The team sought to assess how the physical environment onboard space vessels could be modified so that all astronauts and explorers, regardless of disability on Earth, can live, work, and thrive in space.

The Zero-G Parabolic Flight Team includes three founding team members of “Writing Science in Braille” Global Campaign: Dr. Mona Minkara, the Director of the Campaign, Mr. Sina Bahram and Dr. Sheri Wells-Jensen.

The Outcome documents of 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th, and 7 th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly clearly emphasized member states commitment “providing inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels – early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary, technical and vocational training. All women and girls (including disabled women and girls) should have access to life-long learning opportunities that help them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to exploit opportunities and to participate fully in society, and to achieving the SDGs”.

In fulfilment of RASIT’s commitment to the 2030 Development Agenda, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the call to action of “Transform Education Summit”, RASIT is introducing the unique science kits in braille through The Transforming Science Education: Accessible Sustainability workshop.

In fulfilment of RASIT’s commitment to the 2030 Development Agenda, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, RASIT in close collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Lebanon to the United Nations, and Perkins School launched the “Science in Braille” Global Campaign during the 6 th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly. The “Science in Braille” Campaign aims to promote and facilitate accessible, inclusive, and diverse science.

Dr. Mona Minkara, Director of Science in Braille, was one of 5 blind fellows participants.

The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) is celebrating the Silver Anniversary of the first campaign “Health is a Human’s Right and Dignity” initiated by Dr. Ismail Sukarriya, a Professor of Medicine at the American University of Beirut – Lebanon.
Message by:
• Ms. Olivia Cohn, Coordinator of One Billion Voice Campaign, RASIT Girls in Science 4 SDGs International Platform
• Dr. Mona Minkara, Blind Assistant Professor of Bioengineering Director of “Writing Science in Braille” Global Campaign.
• Dr. Hoby Wedler, Blind Chemist and Entrepreneur, USA

It is important to note that over a third of new science manuscripts published annually are in non-English languages, despite assumption of English as scientific ‘lingua franca’. Important scientific innovations and development that could enrich sustainable development programs are missed at international level. Thus, language barriers continue to impede the global compilation and application of scientific advancement for sustainable development.

With great momentum and interest in the role of science education can play to accelerate the socio-economic sustainable development, RASIT’s Science and Society for Sustainable Development World Initiative will hold the first high-level Forum in the Spanish Language, one of the most spoken languages by the number of countries, on the Margin of Transforming Education Summit and the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week. The Forum seeks to bridge between the International Community and Spanish-speaking youth, experts, and professionals to link their knowledge and expertise and its applications in a systematic, critical way for the 2030 agenda and its 17 global goals.

The Forum further aims to consider language balance – whether spoken language, Braille, or sign language - in the International Community activities whether when inviting youth, expert, or a speaker, to ensure everyone is given a similar and equal opportunities at the International Community.

Dr Esraa El Bably, the First Arab Deaf Dentist, speech at the United Nations on 15 May 2017, during the Women in Innovation and Connectivity High-Level Panel, organized by the Royal Academy of Science International Trust, the Ministry of Social Dialogue Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties of Malta, UNCTAD and Mission of Andorra to the UN.

Following her speech at the UN, and per the request of HRH Princess Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite from the Arabic Media, Esraa was featured in many TV Programs.

Esraa's impact in Arab states was enormous, as most universities now admitting Deaf students into science and medical colleges. In addition, Families started to more believe in the potential of their deaf children.

The President of Egypt honored Dr Esraa El-Babli with a State Medal.