Dubai: The special needs community in Dubai welcomes the new law which aims to integrate people with special needs into mainstream society.
Law No 2 of 2014, which was issued on Tuesday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aims to provide better health care, education and public services to ensure their cohesion with other segments of society.
Parents of children with special needs who spoke to Gulf News were happy with the law but they wondered how it would be implemented.
Avani Shah, mother of Aarti, 20, who has Down’s syndrome, said the law is a big move towards a brighter future for people with special needs.
“A big thanks to His Highness for taking this step for better integration of special needs in the mainstream society. I am keen to know if this law would provide shadow teachers for children with special needs and how else this will improve the lives of these children.”
Nilima Vengsarkar, mother of Shachi, 18, who also has Down’s syndrome, said reforms are important to integrate them in society.
“Dubai government is really trying to help people with special needs and integrate them into the society. It recently introduced disability cards for people with special needs and exempted them from Salik,” she said.
Isphana Al Khatib, Director of Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, believes the law will empower people with special needs to rightfully access all services in all sectors.
“This will integrate them appropriately in the community, enhancing their productivity and quality of life,” said Al Khatib.
She also said raising awareness about the potential and possibility of people with special needs is very important. “The community needs to believe that a true integration is possible. This mind set will open all doors and people with special needs will then be included in all aspects from planning to implementing to accessing all facilities.”
Mohammad Al Emadi, Director-General of Dubai Autism Centre, commended and thanked the leadership for this step. In his opinion the most important aspect is placing people with special needs in jobs.
“All the aspects — health, education and transport — are important for integrating this segment, however there should be a special focus on placing them in jobs. We work hard on educating and preparing them to enter the workforce. Once they graduate there should be places for them.”
Al Emadi also said the new law showed a well-rounded understanding of the needs of people with special needs.
Sonia Al Hashemi, Chairperson of the UAE Down’s Syndrome Association, said the centre is happy with the new law, adding that focusing on linked sectors such as education, health and services is vital for integration.
“The most important aspect is preparing them to become independent socially and financially to be able to become an important part of society.”
She added that the biggest challenge will be actually imposing these new reforms.
Law No 2 of 2014 will contribute to further enhancing integration between all relevant bodies to come up with service infrastructure that gives people with special needs the opportunity to access all sorts of services. It also aims to provide them with high-quality medical care and social services, and boost public awareness, which will contribute to integrating people with special needs into society and reaffirming their participation in social development.
It aims to ensure the rights of all people with special needs, and protect them from exploitation, discrimination and negligence. The law comes into effect from the date of its issuance and is to be published in the official gazette.
The law is in line with the vision of Shaikh Mohammad to make Dubai a model that is looked up to in boosting participation of people with special needs, and offering them primary services to enhance their position as productive segments of society.
