TO GO WITH STORY LIFE EGYPT DISABLED, 2003-02-23 (photo)

Mervat Bayoumi, 28, a blind Egyptian girl plays her violin at the "Nur wal-Amal" ("Light and Hope"), institute in Cairo. Egypt has steadily improved its provision for the disabled in recent decades, but progress in the past few years has been particularly remarkable, with a host of new schemes like the Egyptian Museum's section for the blind. A non-profit organisation called "Very Special Arts Egypt" was set up in 1990 to help integrate the disabled into society by enhancing their artistic skills. It nurtures talents like the Deaf Theatre Group, which performs mime. Picture taken February 23, 2003. REUTERS/Aladin Abdel Naby AN/GB