What Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities does

Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities is a Qatari non-profit organization established in 1999 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, operating since 2013 under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work. It delivers comprehensive special education, rehabilitation, and vocational training services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder from birth to age 21. Services are organized across specialized departments covering early childhood intervention, mild/moderate and severe intellectual disability, autism, and vocational rehabilitation (ages 16-21), supported by evidence-based methodologies including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), TEACCH, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), VB-MAPP, and the HELP early intervention program.

The center's service infrastructure includes specialized facilities such as a 3D dome theater (the first in the Middle East), sensory stimulation halls, an assistive technology devices hall, a hydrotherapy pool, and the Al Shafallah Library, which holds approximately 6,411 knowledge sources and 3,541 specialized educational stories. It operates a Virtual Classrooms Platform delivered via Microsoft, a Continuous Training Platform for remote learning, and production-line workshops including a Qatar Airways amenity-kit assembly line, Green Houses, and Printing Workshop. Strategic technology, healthcare, education, and corporate partnerships span Microsoft Qatar, PSG Academy, Best Buddies, Hamad International Airport, Hamad Medical Corporation, multiple government ministries, and local universities.

Commercially, the center functions as a government-funded non-profit. All services are provided free of charge to Qatari nationals, residents, and visitors, with annual April-May registration and multi-disciplinary evaluation determining admission and program placement. Revenue is sourced from government budget allocations via the Qatar Foundation for Social Work. GTM motion is community-led, leveraging social media, awareness campaigns, national and international events, and an extensive institutional partnership network. No private-equity or venture funding is disclosed, and there are no revenue figures publicly available.

Name

Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities

Legal name

Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities

Website

https://shafallah.org.qa

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities is a Qatar-based nonprofit providing free special education, rehabilitation, and vocational training services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism from birth to age 21, operating under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Special Education Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Support Services (611710), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Disability rehabilitation services
• Vocational training programs
• Autism early intervention
• Assistive technology services

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The center operates as a government-funded nonprofit under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work (Qatar Social Work Foundation). Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries including Qatari nationals and lawful residents. The center's operations are supported by government budget allocations and alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Shafallah Center delivers free special education, rehabilitation, early intervention, vocational training, speech/occupational/physical therapy, hydrotherapy, assistive technology, family support, and community integration services to persons with intellectual disabilities and autism from birth to age 21 in Qatar. Services are delivered through six specialized departments (Early Childhood, Mild/Moderate Intellectual Disability, Severe Intellectual Disability, Autism, Vocational Rehabilitation, Operational Workshops) supported by a 3D dome theater, sensory stimulation halls, and a dedicated disability-focused library. All services are provided at no cost through government funding under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, with annual registration and multi-disciplinary evaluation to determine program placement.

Product overview

Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities operates as a unified service organization providing comprehensive educational and rehabilitation programs for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder from birth to age 21. The center offers a coordinated portfolio of services including Registration, Continuous Training Platform, and Al Shafallah Library, supported by specialized departments for Early Childhood Intervention, Intellectual Disability (Mild/Moderate/Severe), Autism, and Vocational Rehabilitation. Operational Workshop Units provide vocational training through Qatar Airways Production Line, Green Houses, and Printing Workshop. The center also maintains specialized facilities including a 3D dome theater, sensory stimulation halls, assistive technology devices hall, therapeutic services, and hydrotherapy pool. Services are delivered through Qatar Foundation for Social Work under Qatar National Vision 2030.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Registration Service Manual registration process for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism from birth to 18 years of age, enabling access to vocational, medical, and educational services until graduation at age 21. Registration is conducted annually in April-May followed by evaluation by a psychiatrist and multi-disciplinary team to determine admission and program placement.
• Continuous Training Platform Electronic platform (electronic bag) containing special education and training films inspired by the center's curricula and workshops, designed to help persons with intellectual disabilities and autism and their families learn new skills according to their abilities and needs for lifelong special education.
• Al Shafallah Library

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduated 43 beneficiaries in 2024, 29 in 2025, and 36 in 2026 with specialized educational and rehabilitative services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Microsoft QatarcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 February 2026Partnership to expand digital inclusion and improve technology access for people with disabilities. Under the initiative, beneficiaries receive digital skills training, access to Microsoft accessibility solutions, and opportunities to earn internationally recognized Microsoft certifications through mentoring programs. Aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and aims to prepare participants for emerging technology fields and integration into Qatar's labor market.
• Qatar Scientific ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025Collaboration for Shafallah Hackathon 2025 under slogan 'Innovate: For a World That's Easy to Access' held in celebration of World Cerebral Palsy Day. Qatar Scientific Club provided active partnership including technical expertise and venue support at Waldorf Astoria Lusail - Doha.
• Food Safety Department at Ministry of Public HealthsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2025Technical workshop organized to raise awareness about food safety in celebration of World Food Safety Day. Joint working groups composed of members from Food Safety Department and center affiliates created artistic panels expressing food safety concepts.
• Paris Saint-Germain AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to boost sports inclusivity, providing sports training and development opportunities for center members.
• Qatar MuseumscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in executing the 'Infinite Love' (حب لا نهائي) sculpture to celebrate the center's silver jubilee (25 years). The Arabic calligraphy artwork was designed by Qatari artist Bashaer Al-Badar.
• Qatar AirwayscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partnership including Qatar Airways Production Line for assembling amenity kits distributed on Qatar Airways flights, providing employment and training opportunities for center members.
• Hamad International AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpening of Al Muzn Lounge at Hamad International Airport and sensory stimulation hall providing services for travelers with disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.
• Hamad Medical CorporationsecondaryOthersHealthcare partnership providing medical services and support for center beneficiaries.
• Ministry of Education and Higher EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for academic programs and integration of persons with disabilities in educational institutions.
• Ministry of InteriorsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership including mobile dental unit initiative for center beneficiaries.
• Ministry of MunicipalitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Houses Workshop collaboration for agricultural training and participation in annual agricultural exhibitions.
• MADAsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationMada Digital Accreditation Certified partner for digital accessibility standards.
• OoredoosecondaryTechnology or IntegrationTechnology and telecommunications partnership for digital services.
• Best Buddies QatarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriendship and leadership development programs for persons with intellectual disabilities, promoting one-to-one friendships and integrated employment opportunities.
• Qatar UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research and educational programs.
• Lusail UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for educational programs.
• Qatar DebatesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDebate and oratory skills programs for center members.
• Al Gharafa Sports ClubsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports integration partnership for inclusive sports activities.
• Qatar National LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBibliographic research collaboration in the bibliographic database available at Al Shafallah Library.
• Fairmont DohasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality partnership for events and activities.
• Raffles DohasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality partnership for events and activities.
• Lulu GroupsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail partnership for community engagement.
• Qatar Cinema Co.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntertainment partnership for cultural activities.
• Gait CompanysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for company activities.
• Qatar RailsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransportation accessibility partnership.
• Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special NeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational society partnership for rehabilitation and special needs advocacy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• SEDRA (Saudi Arabia): Saudi government-affiliated program supporting inclusion of persons with disabilities in education and employment; comparable as a regional peer in disability services, with similar government-mandate alignment to Shafallah's Vision 2030 positioning.
• Deraya University (Egypt): Egyptian higher-education institution dedicated to students with special needs; comparable as a MENA-region special-education provider serving persons with intellectual disabilities, though operating in a different country and at a different age band.
• Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs: Qatari national society focused on rehabilitation and special-needs advocacy; comparable as a regional player in the same disability-services space and an explicit core partner of Shafallah.

Direct peers

• Special Olympics International: Global movement providing year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities; Shafallah members have competed and won at Special Olympics World Games, making it a directly comparable programming peer.
• Mada Center Qatar: Qatar's assistive-technology and digital-accessibility authority; a directly comparable disability-services organization operating under Qatari government auspices with overlapping digital-inclusion and accessibility mandates, and an explicit partner of Shafallah (MADA).
• Best Buddies International: Global nonprofit running one-to-one friendship, leadership, and integrated-employment programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities — directly comparable to Shafallah's Best Buddies Qatar partnership and ECHO platform activities.
• Dubai Center for Special Needs: UAE-based nonprofit providing early intervention, special education, and vocational training for children with disabilities from early years through transition; closely comparable services, structure, and target population to Shafallah but operating in a neighboring GCC market.

Emerging players

• Autism Speaks: Large U.S.-based advocacy and services organization promoting autism research, awareness, and direct services; comparable as an autism-focused services-and-advocacy nonprofit, though its center of gravity is global advocacy rather than Shafallah's residential-clinic model.

Others

• Hamad Medical Corporation: Qatar's principal state-owned healthcare provider and a formal healthcare partner of Shafallah; an ecosystem participant that delivers clinical services to the same beneficiary population rather than competing on education/rehabilitation.
• Microsoft Qatar (Accessibility & Inclusive Hiring): Strategic technology partner providing accessibility solutions, digital-skills training, and Microsoft certifications to Shafallah members; comparable as a digital-inclusion enabler rather than a competing service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alshafallah
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@alshafallah3747
• Facebookfacebook.com/alshafallah
• Instagraminstagram.com/alshafallah
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alshafallah

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities