Training proves a huge hit with deaf staff at Dubai Courts

The Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP), and the National Institute of Vocational Education (NIVE) provided the course, with a sign language expert on hand to help communication go smoothly. The training included document management, personal development, problem-solving, communication skills, team work and time management.

Mohammed Abdulla Al Mohammad, Head of Training & Development at Dubai Courts, said:

"Our hearing impaired employees have specific training needs and don't get the same chances as often as our other employees. We are happy that ENDP and NIVE took this initiative on their behalf."

Positive results from a survey conducted at the end of the course showed a demand for more job-specific courses related to IT, English language, and work and life skills.

Abdulla Khalil, one of the staff who took part, said:

"This is the first time I have trained for a course of this kind and I have found the course material very useful."

His colleague Hussein Ahmed said, "I thank Dubai Courts for this opportunity that has helped me with everyday skills. We definitely need more courses of this kind. The finer points of team work, time management and problem solving will help us with our daily work."

Essa Al Mulla, Executive Director of ENDP, said, "Upgrading and upskilling is an important part of our mandate at ENDP. In line with Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, we are now expanding our mandate to include people with disabilities in all of our programmes.

"ENDP firmly believes people with disabilities, like everyone else, have many talents that can be nurtured through training. The knowledge and skills they acquire will help them develop their careers and become productive members of society."

ENDP is a programme under the umbrella of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), and NIVE is one of KHDA's initiatives. Dr Naji Al Mahdi, Executive Director for NIVE, said, "We strive to be inclusive and provide courses for all sections of the populations. Our instructors can cater to individuals with physical and sensory-based challenges. In cooperation with Tamkeen, we are working towards making the rest of the courses inclusive for students with similar challenges in the new academic year."