Resolution to boost special needs centres

Abu Dhabi: Government efforts for enhancing social development and improving the quality of services for people with special needs got a boost after a resolution issued by the Vice-President on Monday.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday issued the resolution regulating the services provided by private establishments for people with special needs.

The resolution is aimed at developing services provided by rehabilitation and care centres for people with special needs to help integrate them into the mainstream of the society and become effective members.

As per the resolution, care centres for people with special needs will be subject to control by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The resolution stipulates that these centres shall provide curative, social, psychological and rehabilitation services to help people with special needs cope with the requirements of their social environment, and develop their abilities to be self-reliant and become productive members of the society.

Supportive services

The centres will also be allowed to provide supportive services such as nursing, physiotherapy and speech therapy.

Under the resolution, the Ministry of Social Affairs is mandated to issue licences for non-government establishments specialised in providing rehabilitation and care services to people with special needs in accordance with rules and standards required to be adhered by these centres.

The centres are required to present detailed annual reports on their rehabilitation programmes, adopted curative and psychological methods and plans, to the Ministry, in addition to substantiated periodic reports on their performance.

They are required to respect Islamic and Arab principles and values as well as laws and traditions in the country, and to apply methods used in the field of rehabilitation and care of people with special needs.

The care centres are not allowed to adopt new methods and curriculum without referring to the Ministry.

Shaikh Mohammad's decision will contribute to supporting government efforts for enhancing social development and improving the quality of services for people with special needs so as to help integrate them into the society and help them live a better life.