His Royal Highness Prince Raad bin Zeid of Jordan was the recipient of the YAI Network's first Global Leadership Award during the organization's 32nd Annual International Conference in New York City last week.

The presentation comes two weeks after Prince Raad, who is President of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, spearheaded the opening of the first two group homes for 12 people with developmental disabilities in Jordan.  Accepting the award on behalf of the Higher Council, the Prince described the opening of the homes, believed to be among the first in the Arab world, "a major milestone," and "one of the most remarkable achievements ever in the history of Jordan."

"The YAI Network has shown us a sense of responsibility and enabled our citizens to gain their voices," Prince Raad said.

The opening of the group homes were part of an 18-month agreement between Jordan and the YAI Network to help the nation develop evaluation standards for children and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as adult day and employment programs. YAI staff members have trained staff in the institutions who now are working in the group homes.

The project is supported by the United States Agency for International Development in collaboration with the Jordanian Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation.