An Inspiring Journey: From Disability to Leadership – Advocate Abbass Abbass and AlManarah Association
AlManarah — a lighthouse of hope, vision, and social transformation—is a groundbreaking initiative founded in 2005 by Adv. Abbass Abbass, a person with visual impairment who turned the challenges of his life into a powerful engine of action and leadership. Abbass, one of the most prominent social entrepreneurs in Arab and Israeli society, established an organization that places persons with disabilities at the center and promotes a more equal, inclusive, and accessible society—here and now.
About the Founder: Leadership with Purpose
Adv. Abbass Abbass, born in Nazareth, was the only student with a disability in his school. Despite his visual impairment, he never saw himself as “disabled” and leads his whole life according to a philosophy of excellence as a way of life. His credentials include:
- LL.B. and LL.M. in Law from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Master’s degree in Business and Nonprofit Management from the University of Haifa
- Licensed attorney and certified accessibility consultant in service accessibility
A Vision Turned Reality
For over two decades, under Abbass’s leadership, AlManarah has become the leading organization promoting the rights of people with disabilities in Arab society. The association has sparked a profound shift in public awareness through innovative projects, legal advocacy, educational and employment initiatives, digital platforms, and international partnerships.
ArabCast Books – A Global Revolution
One of Abbass’s most prominent initiatives is ArabCast Books — the first Arabic digital library in the world for persons with visual impairments and reading disabilities, offering thousands of accessible audiobooks and podcasts. Available through a dedicated mobile app, the library is a global source of pride.
Achievements and International Recognition
- 2008 – Invited to the prestigious IVLP Program by the U.S. Department of State, where he delivered his lecture “Accessibility and Equality for Persons with Disabilities.”
- 2009 – Appointed as the first Arab representative to the advisory committee of the Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Israel’s Ministry of Justice.
The same year, he was selected as the first Ashoka Fellow from Arab society in Israel, joining a global network of visionary social entrepreneurs.
A Lecture That Sparks Change
Abbass lectures across Israel and internationally on his journey from blindness to entrepreneurship, from limitation to empowerment. His lecture, “From Disability to Entrepreneurship,” is a deeply personal, captivating, and inspiring experience that motivates audiences to shatter glass ceilings and move forward.
A Life of Vision and Connection
Abbass currently lives in Ramat Yishai—a place that symbolizes his vision of coexistence and a multicultural society, which he strives to build every single day. He believes that connection—between hearts, cultures, and communities—is the only path toward a better world.