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"People with special needs can contribute to society as much as anybody else," said HH Sheikh Hamdan. "To build a strong UAE, we need to make sure that all our people have the means to realise their potential. We must work to ensure that people with special needs have the support and services necessary to become productive members of society," he added.
Internationally, people with special needs represent between 14 to 19 per cent of the world's population, which highlights the critical importance of addressing their problems.
"The launch of Takamul reflects Dubai's commitment to create a barrier-free society for people with special needs," said Ahmad Bin Byat, Chairman of the Dubai Education Council.
"By consolidating a wide range of programmes for people with special needs, Takamul will considerably strengthen the effort to help them integrate better into society. Takamul will also work to raise awareness about many issues faced by people with special needs who represent an important part of society,"
he added.
The project's programmes will be based on a holistic understanding of special-needs issues. It will collaborate with leading international agencies and key stakeholders to provide research-based programme development, technical assistance, leadership, advocacy, staff development and training to help meet the diverse needs of people with special needs, their families and support communities.
Takamul's programmes will have six key focuses:
1. Early Assessment and Diagnosis Centre
Across the world, the percentage of people with special needs, below 18, in the population, is largely similar. This underlines the crucial need for early screening and diagnosis to detect birth defects and development delays that can be corrected. Through its 'Early Assessment and Diagnosis Centre' Takamul will provide technical assistance to boost the capabilities of hospitals for early assessment and diagnosis of birth defects and development delays.
2. Inclusive Education
In line with the latest research that proves the efficacy of inclusive education, Takamul will promote the integration of special needs students in mainstream education. It will offer training to equip teachers and enable educational institutions to integrate students with special needs.
3. Employment and Transition
Takamul's offerings will also cover support for both young people and adults with disabilities to transition from home and school to employment. It will encourage both public and private sector companies to employ more people with special needs.
4. Training and Research Centre
Takamul's 'Training and Research Centre' will launch world-class training programmes for teachers, therapists and other specialists in disability-related fields. The Centre will also conduct a comprehensive demographic study of people with special needs in the UAE, the first such research initiative in the region. The new centre will also provide a range of technical assistance to people with special needs.
5. Accessibility
Takamul will work with various organisations to ensure that physical environments like buildings as well as transportation and communication facilities in the country are fully accessible for individuals with special needs.
6. Information, communications and assistive technologies
The project will provide the latest assistive technologies that can enhance the ability of people with special needs to participate in society.
Takamul will actively promote reform of policies affecting people with special needs through a programme of networking, consultancy, and advocacy. One of its long-term goals is to establish a regulatory body and provide consultancy in areas such as service development, policy and planning.
As part of its awareness campaign, Takamul will host an international conference on special-needs issues on 11 September, 2006. Furthermore, it will launch Maan, a magazine dedicated to giving a bigger voice for people with special needs.
Takamul's activities will be guided by a spirit of partnership. It will work closely with government, service providers, and educational institutions to meet its goals. It will also collaborate with key stakeholder groups including people with special needs and their families, as well as public, private, and voluntary sector services. Furthermore, Takamul will partner with and build local, regional, and international networks to enhance the common pool of knowledge.
Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
