Under the auspices of the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, An-Najah National University hosted British Paralympics heroine Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson on April 14^th, 2010.

In attendance at the event were Brigadier Jibril Al-Rujub, Chairman of the Palestine Olympic Federation, Nablus Governor, Colonel Jibrin Al-Bakri, and Mr. Majed Abdel-Fattah, Chairman of the Palestinian Paralympics Committee.
The British Consulate was represented by Mr. John Edwards, Deputy Consul General, Ms. Karen McLuskie, Political Consul, Mr. Michael Sansour, Projects Officer, and Mr. Fadi Adeeb, Public Information and Press Officer.
On behalf of the University President, President Assistant for International and Strategic Affairs opened the event and delivered a speech addressing the audience. She said: "We are meeting today to address one of the most important issues in the society. People with special needs constitute an integral part of the Palestinian society to whom the University holds great responsibility. We have recognized the importance of supporting this group of people since there are more than 150,000 persons with special needs in Palestine who require special care and attention. The University includes more than 37 students with special needs and facilitates their education through preparing special facilities and programs for this purpose. It has also established The People with Special Needs Care Center which works on solving their problems, monitoring their cases and contacting their families. Furthermore, a clinic

was also established that provides services for those w ho need synthetic limbs".
"Regarding students who are visually impaired, the University has established special computer labs which train those students on how to use the computerized Braille system as well as providing the necessary materials. Several bodies at the University follow-up and support those people such as the University President, the Deanship of Students Affairs and others".
Baroness Grey Thompson spoke of her happiness to be in Palestine, particularly An-Najah University and the opportunity it gave her to discuss disability issues with Palestinians. "I have come to Palestine to encourage Palestinian people who have disabilities to try to overcome barriers and obstacles and take their place as an influential part of the society as I did"
She also expressed the hope that Palestinian people would be able to participate in the 2012 Paralympics in London. Following this, a film about the life of the Baroness was presented which the audience described as inspiring.
Baroness Grey Thompson is one of the United Kingdom’s most successful athletes. With an international career spanning over two decades she has accumulated a total of 16 Paralympic medals (11 of them being gold). She is also a 6 time winner of the London Marathon.