While studying at Cairo University, Al-Aqel lost her sight.[2] She finished her degree, despite her new disability, getting a bachelor of arts and receiving a diploma in Islamic studies.[2]
Al-Aqel opened the first school for blind women in Yemen in 1995.[3] Later, she founded an organization, the Al-Aman Organization Blind Women Care (AOBWC, جمعية الأمان لرعاية الكفيفات) in 1997 in order to further the opportunities for blind women in education and the workforce.[3] The country of Yemen has a high rate of blindness and eye diseases, many of which are treatable.[4] However many Yemenis can't afford treatment, or in some cases, receive poor medical advice, and go blind as a result.[4] In 2012, it was estimated that there were around 76,000 blind Yemenis, most of them living in rural areas.[5] In Yemen, people with disabilities face difficult challenges receiving education and access to social and public services.[6]
Al-Aqel wanted women in Yemen to be able to be an active part of society and able to continue their education and be able to obtain employment.[7] AOBWC as a group supports the education of women with blindness in order to help them take part in social and political spheres. Her group also helps adapt literature to Braille.[8] The group also works closely with the Education Ministry and other similar foundations.[2] In 2001, Al-Aqel entered into a mutual cooperation agreement between AOBWC and the British Cultural Council began.[8]
In 2012, Al-Aqel was honored by the Balqis Award, an annual $20,000 prize which is given to recognize the contributions of women's groups in Yemen.[9] Al-Aqel was also honored at the third annual "Festival of the Blind" in Sana'a in 2013 for her work in AOBWC as she strove to create a "more compassionate and considerate world for the blind."[10]