What we can do to empower people of determination in UAE

As the UAE is making major efforts to empower people of determination, authorities stress on the role of community members to achieve the sought-after inclusive society.
In a statement to Khaleej Times, Wafa Hamad bin Sulaiman, director of rehabilitation and care department of people of determination at the Ministry of Community Development, said most of the time people of determination are not limited by their disability.
"They are more limited by the negative attitudes and barriers around them that hinder their independence and participation in society," said Bin Sulaiman.
She added that people of determination around the world continue to face various forms of discrimination and mistreatment despite the improved services dedicated to them over the past few decades.
"A disability prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. The role of every one of us is to recognise these disabilities and support them into becoming active participants in the society," said Bin Sulaiman.
People's support can be through "learning how to treat them the right way - which will improve their confidence - and create an inclusive society."
Bin Sulaiman urged residents to learn about the different disabilities that require specific type of treatment. She said continuous social awareness has to be introduced in schools, workforce and centres to educate community members, who often find themselves stuck when dealing with the differently-abled.
"Each disability has its own physical and emotional qualities. Although there must be specific grounds for dealing with each type of disability individually, there are general principles that we can follow when dealing with different disabilities," said Bin Sulaiman.
She highlighted the role that different activist groups and disability rights organisation had in formulating special education and rehabilitation policies in different countries.
"The people who formed such groups to defend the rights of the disabled in different walks of life like education and employment were mostly friends, relatives, families or even the disabled themselves," added Bin Sulaiman.
She said while some groups were concerned about legal issues that did not support people of determination, others worked on educating the community and empowering them with the right skills they can use to accept and integrate people of determination.
The UAE has come a long way in establishing the right legal system that empowers and protects people of determination, but a big role goes back to the community, which must integrate the challenged in their surroundings.
The ministry launched three strategic objectives to implement the UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 43 of 2018 in August, which ensures people of determination equal access to the labour market in various sectors.
By law, government and private bodies are obligated to recognise the rights of people of determination in the workplace and offer them the support they need.
Last year, Dubai launched 'National Policy for Empowering People with Disabilities' to ensure decisions made across the government entities and prioritise the needs and rights of the disabled.
The policy covers six pillars of education, health and rehabilitation, employment, mobility, social protection and family empowerment as well as social, sport and public life.
By 2020, Dubai is set to be fully disability-friendly from access to employment opportunities. Authorities are working to make public buildings and city facilities friendly for people of determination through following a disabled-friendly code.
The UAE also has a Disability Act, which became federal law in 2006 and protects the rights of people with disabilities. They are also signees of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

12 ways to make them feel at home
> Speak in your natural voice when greeting guests of determination in. Don't raise your voice unnecessarily
> Refer your guests to the right guest room that's easily accessed. If you don't have a guest room easily accessed, provide alternatives immediately even if it's your private room or office
> Shake hands with guests of determination, even if they have a prosthetic hand. You can use shake with your left hand
> With those who cannot shake hands, lightly touch their shoulder or arm to welcome them
> Avoid patting the head or shoulder of those using a wheelchair
> When talking to someone on a wheelchair, do not tilt towards them as the chair is considered part of their private space
> Maintain eye contact when you address someone with disability
> When offering assistance, be prepared to be rejected
> Do not insist on offering help. If assistance is accepted, listen carefully and do what's requested
> Allow the person with visual impairment to hold your arm (at or near the elbow). This gives them a sense of guidance rather than being accompanied or led.
> Respectfully ask if you can help to carry their stuff
> Do not touch a disabled person's crutches unless you are asked to