MoI: Sophisticated Services and Programs for People with Special Needs
The Ministry of Interior s Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs emphasized its keenness to provide sophisticated services and programs for people with disabilities, consistent with international standards in the field of professional rehabilitation. It also indicated its commitment to develop local and international cooperation relations; employ people with disabilities; develop appropriate and efficient strategies to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities; and promote opportunities to integrate people with disabilities into society.
In his working paper, submitted at the sixth Abu Dhabi International Conference on Special Needs (ACCESS Abu Dhabi 2013), organized by the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, Ahmed Juma Al Baloushi, Head of Support Services Section at the Ministry of Interior s Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs indicated that the Ministry of Interior has established the Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs in 2002, as per the directives of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE and the driving force behind its progress. This comes in line with the attention dedicated by the Higher Leadership to develop potential capabilities of people with special needs, with advanced training plans to provide suitable work opportunities for them, and help them build an economically, socially and psychologically independent stable life.
Moreover, Al Baloushi stressed that the Ministry of Interior s Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs provided significant prospects to promote integration of people with disabilities into society. This embodies the vision and strategy of the police leadership in the service of society, to help people with disabilities in particular have an economically, and socially independent life, and take part in the nation s progress.
The Ministry of Interior s Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs provide comprehensive professional rehabilitation services to people with special needs, through a number of programs and activities. These programs include diagnosis, evaluation, guidance and career counseling; personal follow-up and professional training in existing programs; competitive recruitment in government and private institutions; as well as guidance and awareness for employers on the needs of people with special needs in the labor market; and post-recruitment follow-up services, Al Baloushi continued.
He added that the Centers provide full accommodation, including food and lodging for students from outside the city of Al Ain. It also provides daily transport services for students residing in Al Ain; and weekly transport for students residing outside the city of Al Ain. The centers also provide psychological and social support activities; physical and occupational therapy, to serve the purposes of training and work; in addition to activities that promote opportunities to integrate people with special needs into society and help them build an independent personality. Not to mention the efforts to develop advanced professional computer competency, and the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) for individuals and institutions.
In his working paper, Al Baloushi also noted that the Ministry of Interior s Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs have recruited over the years a total of 483 male and female graduates in the various work fields in both the public and private sectors, out of which 17 were recruited as part of a kind initiative in cooperation with Emirates Today newspaper, and 17 others within the Irada projects. Moreover, he pointed out that the Ministry of Interior and Abu Dhabi Police GHQ became a role model in the field of care and recruitment for people with special needs, as they recruited 218 graduates, in line with the police leadership s vision and strategy, to support this important segment of society.
Furthermore, he indicated that the Armed Forces have recruited 92 graduates. A total of 87 graduates were employed by the government sector, and 37 by the private sector.
Promoting partnerships
Ahmed Juma Al Baloushi, Head of Support Services Section at the Ministry of Interior s Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs stressed that Centers strategy aims to strengthen partnerships and coordination with government and private institutions, as per the culture of social solidarity, which is a main feature of the UAE society. It also comes in line with the government legislations, stipulating the rights of citizens with special needs to have access to equal employment opportunities, to enable them to efficiently contribute to the nation s progress and stability, and become useful members in society. In the same context, Al Balousi pointed out that the partnership agreements that have been signed in this regard, included recruitment agreements with the Armed Forces; the Higher Colleges of Technology; the Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium; and Emirates Bank Group.
In its working paper submitted at the sixth Abu Dhabi International Conference on Special Needs (ACCESS Abu Dhabi 2013), the Ministry of Interior indicated that the police leadership has dedicated significant attention to the Irada projects. These projects were developed for productive work and services, with the opening of a number of projects, namely; the libraries for the sale and marketing of stationery items in cooperation with the UAE University, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology; in addition to printing and copying offices in collaboration with the Emirates Driving Company.
Furthermore, Ahmed Al Baloushi said: In 2008, the Centers implemented an initiative to support the Lebanese people, by providing training to 10 Lebanese people with special needs. It also provided training and employment opportunities in the UAE to 20 Palestinian individuals with special needs .
Al Baloushi shed light on some of the Ministry of Interior s Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs achievements, namely; the group weddings for people with special needs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi: the group wedding of 2007, which was held at the Emirates Palace for 20 couples; and the group wedding, which was held at the Police Officers Club in 2011, for 19 couples. The Centers administration, supported by a number of national institutions, provided costs of marriage, presents and financial support for the newlyweds and provided them with the opportunity to perform the Umrah rituals.
Concluding, Al Baloushi pointed out that the Ministry of Interior s Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of people with special needs acquired the Gold Shield of Appreciation of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Award for the integration of people with special needs in 2009. It also acquired the Rashid Center s Humanitarian Services Award in 2009; the Emirates Social Award in 2010; and the Khalifa Award for Education in 2012.