Jalila Foundation invests Dh2.5m to help support special needs children

Dubai: Jalila Foundation has invested Dh2.5 million in Ta’alouf in order to support the development of children with special needs.

Jalila Foundation, a foundation that aims at supporting medical treatment, education and research, offers a programme known as Ta’alouf to better equip carers of children with special needs.

Currently, 160 parents and 66 school teachers are not well-equipped to advance social inclusion with the help of the behavioural training offered in the programme, said the organisation.

Dr Abdul Kareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, expresses his optimism about a brighter future where equal opportunities are granted to children with special needs who wish to contribute to the nation’s society and economy.

“Demand for the programme was beyond expectations and many donors stepped in to support it,” said Al Olama. “As a result, we expanded Ta’alouf to offer a teachers’ training course, and soon, we will expand it further to reach other carers to ensure that children with special needs are well supported and empowered to reach their potential wherever they are.”

The Ta’alouf training for teachers is in partnership with both British University in Dubai and Zayed University with endorsements from the Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The programme aspires to train teachers in both private and government schools on the inclusion of children with special needs in the educational system in order to encourage the concept of acceptance.

Courses in Ta’alouf are offered in Arabic and English to encourage both locals and foreigners to take part in Jalila Foundation’s flagship programme.