The department of Psychology, Educational Sciences, and Speech Therapy, in coordination with the Research Laboratory in Psychometrics and Its Applications at the faculty of human and social sciences, organized on Monday, April 27, 2026, the proceedings of the second national colloquium entitled:

“sport and mental health of persons with special needs: Scientific and Practical Approaches for improving field Interventions,”

chaired by Pr. Abdelkader MIAFI, with the participation of distinguished academics and researchers from various national universities.

This colloquium served as an integrated scientific platform fostering the convergence of theoretical and empirical approaches. It highlighted the fundamental role of sport, not only as a physical activity but also as a preventive and therapeutic tool contributing to the enhancement of mental health and the psycho-social well-being of persons with special needs.

The scientific presentations also addressed various psychological, social, and educational challenges that may hinder the participation of this group in sports activities. Rigorous methodological approaches were proposed to overcome these obstacles and improve the quality of field practices.

Discussions extended beyond traditional frameworks to explore innovation perspectives, particularly by emphasizing the role of modern technologies and digitalization in training and rehabilitation systems, supported by the presentation of successful national field experiences.

Participants unanimously emphasized that the development of this field relies on strengthening specialized academic and professional training, integrating pedagogical and psychological dimensions into the design of programs and initiatives, in order to ensure comprehensive care that meets the expectations of persons with special needs and concretely reflects the societal role of the university.