Abu Dhabi: Children with special needs should be allowed to complete their education in regular schools and be placed in jobs that best suit their capabilities and needs.
During the 7th annual event, Motivating the Children's Dreams, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Honorary President of the Future Centre for Special Needs announced the current goals to help children with special needs achieve their dreams.
"We need to increase the number of students learning to walk and talk, increase the number of students joining mainstream schools, increase the number of employment opportunities for children with special needs and help put a smile on their faces by raising the awareness and rights of our disabled children," he said.
More than 500 guests attended a gala dinner at the British Embassy on Thursday evening to help raise funds for the centre.
"Many disabilities are complemented by abilities. Until about two years ago, the notion was that children with special needs had no ability to learn but with your support and humanity we will change that and help motivate our children's dreams," Shaikh Nahyan said.
Tala Dionisi, Board member at the centre, said within the past three years, 40 special needs children had been placed in regular schools with up to four continuing their careers via jobs that best suited them.
UK envoy, Edward Oakden said: "We will continue with our mission to increase the number of employment opportunities to help put a smile on children's faces."