AMAANA
AMAANA stands for: American Muslims for Accessibility, Advocacy, and Nurturing Acceptance
Acceptance & Accessibility For All.
Our Mission: to support the needs of Louisiana Muslim families with disabilities; through Acceptance, meaningful Accessibility, ongoing Advocacy in partnership with local Muslim and disability organizations.
What We Offer
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AMAANA offers free accessibility van transportation by request for members of our local community who have mobility issues to and from events, such as doctor visits, funerals, weddings, Jummah prayer, and more.
Click here to request the van!
For immediate assistance, please text (504) 481-4420 to schedule transport.
Our community van helps eliminate mobility barriers, ensuring everyone can participate fully in community and religious life.
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Empowering families through education and guidance. AMAANA help parents apply for state and federal services — including SSD benefits, waiver programs, and medical transportation.
Families receive:
Training on navigating care systems
Access to health and wellness resources
Sign language classes and advocacy support
Our goal is to ensure every family has the knowledge and confidence to access the help they need.
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We provide free English–Arabic/ Urdu translation for events, training, and family requests. Language should never be a barrier — AMAANA ensures every family can understand, participate, and thrive.
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AMAANA is proud to sponsor respite care for Muslim families with disabilities during an Accessible Eid Prayer in the Eastbank as well as a sensory-friendly accommodation room in the Westbank.
Click here to fill out our form if you need special accommodations for Eid Prayers.
AMAANA also hosts fully inclusive Eid events across the Eastbank and Westbank of New Orleans.
Services include:
Respite care during prayers
Sensory-friendly area with fidgets, headphones, and wheelchair access
Adapted celebrations so all families can participate joyfully
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Faith, learning, and inclusion for all. AMAANA currently offers Saturday Islamic School (at our Westbank locaiton) and Sunday Islamic School (at our Eastbank location). Our Weekend Islamic schools offer:
Personalized Islamic & Arabic lessons
Sensory-based learning (crafts, outdoor play, and one-on-one support)
Individualized lesson plans created by trained educators
This program builds belonging, confidence, and spiritual growth in every child. Register for our next available Weekend School semester here.
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Louisiana’s first Muslim-focused adult day program for individuals with disabilities ages 20-40. This program fills a critical post-high school gap — fostering friendship, skills, and purpose.
Participants in our Adult Day Program enjoy:
Baking, crafts, and exercise
Outdoor activities (weather permitting)
Islamic & Arabic enrichment lessons
Schedule: Westbank location – Mon/Wed | Eastbank location – Tue/Thu
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Safe, faith-based spaces for parents, siblings, and caregivers, this includes:
Bi-Weekly support groups for mothers of children with special needs (at our both locations)
In-person and virtual resource sharing, emotional support, and advocacy guidance
Together, families find connection, healing, and empowerment. To participate in our support groups, please submit a Confidentiality Form here.
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Thanks to our generous donors, AMAANA offers financial sponsorships for qualifying families. Sponsorships help cover tuition for Weekend School, Adult Day Programs, and other services — ensuring cost is never a barrier.
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Our AMAANA volunteers play a vital, collaborative role in caring for our members and realizing our mission. Volunteers are the heart of AMAANA.
We provide comprehensive training on supporting members of all abilities, including:
Disability inclusion and adaptive care
Conflict resolution, fire safety, CPR & First Aid Trainings
RBT training opportunity with a licensed BCBA therapist
Volunteers gain experience, certification, and service hours for high school or university, while also making a lasting community impact.
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Our leaders have extensive backgrounds navigating the Louisiana school systems throughout multiple parishes.
We know your students' rights and we advocate with schools on your behalf to ensure your student receives the in-school care and programming necessary.
Our experienced advocates assist families through:
IEP and 504 meetings
Transition planning and school communications
AMAANA collaborates with partners like Families Helping Families to ensure children receive the services and respect they deserve.
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AMAANA organizes and invites the community to join our exciting monthly events which celebrate, educate, and advocate for individuals with disabilities and exceptionalities in a safe, sensory-appropriate environment. Proceeds of AMAANA events go towards need-based scholarships, programming, supplies, and additional events.
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Our staff leads AMAANA with decades of experience caring and advocating for individuals with disabilities/exceptionalities. We are seasoned educators, advocates, community leaders, mothers, sisters, brothers, and allies.
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Parents can rest knowing their loved ones are safe and supported. Available during AMAANA programs (like Summer and Winter Camps) and by request outside regular hours.
Trained caregivers provide compassionate, individualized care.
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A highly dedicated and experienced therapist specializing in trauma, relationship restoration, and mental health support provides a safe and supportive environment for our AMAANA parents, helping clients develop coping skills and find peace in their lives.
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AMAANA’s Behavior Consultant provides individualized, family-centered support for children and adults with behavioral and developmental needs. Working collaboratively with families, educators, and interdisciplinary teams, our consultant develops compassionate, evidence-based strategies that honor each individual’s unique strengths and challenges.
Through this personalized approach, AMAANA helps foster growth, independence, and meaningful participation both at home and within the community.
Who We Serve
AMAANA was created to serve Muslims living with intellectual and physical disabilities in Southeast Louisiana. Individuals of all ages and abilities are welcome to join our community. In addition to our Day Program and Weekend School, AMAANA supports all members of the family through School Advocacy Team (IFSP and IEP meetings support), Respite Care, Medical Resources, Training (understanding disability, disability rights, and transition planning to name a few), Family (sibling, father, support group), Counseling, as well as personal training and well-being programs for mothers.
Noel Abdelfattah, AMAANA Parent
"As a mother of a child with Autism, it was difficult to find support and to understand what my child needs in all aspects of her life including education, peers, achievements, goals, etc. I was approached by a friend about Rana Ottallah and Rawida Abu Khalil and was asked to join in their first meeting about education and understanding IEPs. In this meeting it was a true eye opener and not just to me to all the mothers that joined in that day of what advocating really means and how powerful advocating for your child can really positively affect your child’s life. Rana Ottallah and Rawida Abu Khalil have given me the voice I didn’t know I had for my daughter. They’ve continuously guided me in any situation regarding my child’s best interests. With my voice, I’m no longer kept in the dark about how to help my child become the best she can be. I feel safe and supported by both of these ladies. I’m proud to be a part of AMAANA Organization and Honor what it stands for! I know that this new chapter beginning in our community, it will truly shed light and positively impact all the families that desperately need their advocacy. With the help of AMAANA there is a greater change coming for the families and children with special needs. Let’s do our part and join together to help spread awareness and support for AMAANA! Best wishes to Rana Ottallah and Rawida Abu Khalil for their wonderful efforts and commitment to us in our community!" 
Huda Kasim, AMAANA Parent
“It’s only been a few months that Youssef has been at AMAANA and he’s already learned so much about Islam. AMAANA has given my son a place where not only he belongs, but where he is accepted. Youssef looks forward to Saturday school all week, he literally counts down the days until he can go back.
This organization has helped teach my son about Islam, but it has also given me a community of parents who are going through all the same things that special needs parent encounters throughout their kid’s life. The staff members are all so patient and kind, they all seem so happy to be there. Youssef has been more confident in his communication. I’ll never be able to thank them enough for the joy and love that they have brought to Youssef.”
Nejweh Abukhalil, AMAANA Student
AMAANA is my favorite place to be myself.
Take a look at how your support has helped local Muslims with disabilities so far!
Our Vision: AMAANA aspires to hold local Muslim families with disabilities as an “AMAANA” (faithful trust) and will do its Fard Kifayah (communal obligation) to serve them through Education, strong Advocacy in addition to Language, Physical, Information and Service Access.
Follow us as we grow!
Visit the AMAANA Resource Center
AMAANA’s Resource Center provides Day Program services, weekend school, advocacy, and parent training, in addition to a variety of new programs and activities much needed for local families living with disabilities.
Hours
Monday & Wednesday | 10am–2pm
Saturday | 10am–1pm
All other days by appointment only.
Phone
504-481-4420
Reachable by Call or Text
Our Locations:
Westbank - 555 Lapalco Blvd, Suite 110
Gretna, LA 70056
Eastbank - 4101 California Ave., Suite 201 Kenner, LA 70065