Abu Dhabi Launches Excellence Award To Empower People Of Determination Through Inclusion

The Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion has been introduced under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This initiative is part of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination roadmap, aiming to acknowledge public, private, and third-sector entities that empower People of Determination.

The award celebrates organisations offering inclusive services in sectors like healthcare, education, transportation, tourism, and culture. These services create environments that enhance access to community services and promote inclusive employment. The goal is to integrate People of Determination into the workforce and support their active role in economic development.

Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, emphasised the award's significance: "The Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion is an integral component of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination, which has achieved remarkable milestones over the past four years by empowering People of Determination to actively contribute to the nation’s comprehensive development across all sectors."

The award is structured around three pillars with ten categories. The first pillar focuses on Inclusive Services, enhancing life quality through innovative services in healthcare, education, tourism, and transportation. The second pillar highlights Accessibility by recognising efforts to ensure ease of access to physical and digital spaces for People of Determination. The third pillar promotes Inclusive Employment by encouraging workplaces that accommodate diverse abilities.

Dr. Laila Al-Hayas, Executive Director at the Department of Community Development, stated: "The award underscores the collective commitment of Abu Dhabi’s public, private, and third sectors to improving the quality of life for People of Determination through these inclusive services and initiatives."

Strategic Outcomes

The initiative aims for significant socioeconomic outcomes by increasing representation in the national workforce. It seeks to facilitate around 500 inclusive services across six industries: healthcare, education, tourism, recreation, transportation, and mobility. Additionally, it empowers over 600 entities from various sectors to become fully accessible both physically and digitally.

Dr. Laila Al-Hayas added: "These unified efforts continue to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global city in providing a supportive, inclusive environment that empowers People of Determination to achieve their aspirations and actively contribute to society."

This award reflects UAE's leadership in fostering a society where equal opportunities are available across all rights and services for People of Determination. By promoting inclusivity across sectors, it enables this community segment to achieve their goals and contribute meaningfully to national development objectives.

With inputs from WAM