The Community Development Authority in Dubai (CDA) in cooperation with UAE Down Syndrome Association, organised an awareness session titled “Ability not Disabilityâ€, aimed at strengthening awareness on people with Down Syndrome. Held at CDA’s main offices in Dubai, the event is in line with CDA’s strategy of enhancing social awareness about people with disabilities and special needs.
His Excellency Mr Khalid Al Kamda, Director General of CDA; Sheikh Maktoum Bin Butti Al Maktoum, CEO – Social Care, a delegation from UAE Down Syndrome Association and senior officials from Al Kindi Motors attended the event.
Conducted by Dr Eman Jad, Director of Disability Services, the session included an introduction on Down syndrome and highlighted the role of non-governmental organisations in facilitating the integration of people with Down Syndrome with the mainstream. A short documentary highlighting activities that people with Down syndrome can be involved in was presented at the session.
The session also featured a case study about two mothers who have children with Down syndrome, highlighting challenges they may face in the upbringing of kids with disability. The session focused on cases of people who are role models having triumphed over their disabilities and become a national pride of their countries.
Sheikh Maktoum Bin Butti Al Maktoum, CEO – Social Care, said: “This initiative comes is in line with CDA’s commitment to spreading awareness on this important segment of our society and part of CDA’s efforts to ensure best practise across all its activitiesâ€.
Dr. Sonia Al Hashimi, board chairwoman of the UAE Down Syndrome Association, said “This Initiative comes as a real indication of our commitment to working together with all governmental and private bodies to spread awareness on this segment of community.†She also highlighted the important role of CDA in enhancing the cooperation with UAE Down Syndrome Association.
Community Development Authority (CDA):
The CDA is a government entity mandated with enhancing the social development in Dubai to achieve the Dubai strategic plan 2015 which was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on February 2007.
The CDA will work towards promoting and raising the social standards in Dubai, and increasing the role of citizens in the community by cooperating with concerned entities in order to achieve the goals of the development sector and to develop the basic structure necessary for this.
The CDA will work on setting up the necessary policies and standards pertaining to social services providers based on its five strategic goals including promotion of national identity, social protection, social inclusion, social empowerment, and social cohesion in Dubai.
