Officials affirm that the initiative strengthening the role of the State is a model to be followed:
Officials affirmed that the national policy for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has confirmed the UAE's role as a model in supporting participation of persons with disabilities, consolidating community commitment to all groups, contributing to support for the integration of this segment into society, and the renaming of this group to be "Strong-willed Persons" reflects appreciation and paying tribute to their great efforts.
Inspiring leader
Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, director General of Dubai Municipality, hailed the decision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, concerning the launch of an integrated national policy for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, and their renaming "Strong-willed Persons".
He explained that this step was a consolidation of support for people in this category and the promotion of community commitment to all groups, as well as the launching of this purposeful and motivating title only comes from an inspiring leader, who feels for his people, their aspirations and ambitions, whatever their class, profession, or prestige, so as to extend happiness to all wherever they are.
Lootah praised the achievements of this segment at various global, regional and local levels, as they greatly honored their State in various sports and other events. He asserted the support of Dubai Municipality for this group, and employing some of them many years ago in various posts in the Department.
Unique Initiative
Eng. Matar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roads and Transportation Authority, Dubai, advised that the launch of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister, ruler of Dubai of the national integrated policy for the empowerment of persons with disabilities in the State and the naming of persons with disabilities "Strong-willed Persons" is a unique initiative that will contribute to supporting the full integration of this segment into society and to make the UAE a model for promoting the participation of persons with disabilities.
He noted that this initiative was the culmination of "My Community, a City for Everyone" initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the President of the Executive Council in 2013, with the aim of transforming the whole emirate into a disability-friendly city by year 2020.
He added: The Supreme Committee for the Protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in the Emirate of Dubai, under the chairmanship of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has completed all the details of the project for people with disability qualifying environment project in accordance with the global design standards.
Statistics
Arif Obaid Al Muhairi, DSC Executive Director, praised his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for Strong-willed Persons initiative, stating that this designation indeed describes this category best and pushes them to produce more and challenge their disability, and prepare society more for their integration in various fields.
He said: We will work at DSC on a special and comprehensive study of all the requirements that would serve the Strong Willed persons, and help the professionals and officials of the various departments and institutions to make the appropriate decision based on real numbers and metrics. We will also bring specialists in this type of statistics to support the specialized teams at DSC.
Road Map
For his part, Ahmed Abdel Karim Glvar, Director of the Dubai Community Development Authority, commended launching a national integrated policy for persons with disabilities, which is a road map for all government, local and private institutions to abide by it and act according to its clauses.
He stressed that renaming of this group by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to be their official name is an appreciation and honour for their tremendous efforts in society and for Alaalaa to members of the community.
He explained that Dubai Community Development Authority will coordinate with the Ministry of Community Development and the Advisory Board, the establishment of which was ordered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to work immediately with these lofty directives which are in the interest of the Strong-willed People and enhance their happiness in the UAE community.
Capacities
Also, Wessam Lootah, Executive Director of the Dubai Smart Government Organization has confirmed that giving persons with disabilities the name "Strong-willed Persons" a translation of UAE logo since its inception; "The most precious thing we have is the human being" and highlighting the unique abilities that this segment of society has, with which they serve the country actively, surmounting any any challenges that may accompany disability.
Although the United Arab Emirates has always showed Strong-willed Persons interest, the launch of the national policy for the empowerment of persons with disabilities (Strong-willed Persons) is the beginning of a new phase.
Platforms
Wessam Lootah stated that since the launch of the Dubai Smart Government organization, we have ensured that all digital platforms in Dubai are compatible with the needs of this segment, both at the gates of government departments on the Internet and on their mobile applications.