Down’s Syndrome group supporters feted for work

Dubai: More than 50 supporters of the UAE Down’s Syndrome Association (UAEDSA) have been recognised for their outstanding work during an award ceremony hosted by the group.

Organised by the UAEDSA, a non-profit organisation that was established in 2006 to serve people affected by Down’s Syndrome, the event at Shangri-la Hotel was a way of saying ‘thank you’.

In the presence of Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Al Maktoum Charity Foundation, who is also the patron, the annual event hosted supporters from government and private institutions as well as individuals who have helped the Association.

Sonia Al Hashemi, chairperson of the UAE Down’s Syndrome Association highlighted the efforts that have helped people with Down’s Syndrome in fields of development and employment and societal integration.

She told Gulf News that the presence of the Shaikh Rashid and his support gives the Association high-level support.

“With this level of support we are better able to spread the awareness towards the condition and increase our efforts towards their integration.”

The Association has helped a number of people with Down’s syndrome integrate in mainstream schools and participate in rehabilitation programmes in sport and cultural activities.

Last year, the UAEDSA initiated a Safety Education Programme in collaboration with Dubai Police on the need to educate families, law enforcement authorities and the community on how to interact with people with Down’s Syndrome.

It also helped train 24 Emirati women through the Special Needs Teacher Assistant Training programme at the British University in Dubai (BUiD).

The UAEDSA has 563 members.