Sharjah's Commitment To Disability Care Highlighted By Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi's Visit

The wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, has highlighted the Emirate's commitment to supporting people with disabilities. The leadership in Sharjah prioritises creating supportive environments for these individuals. Significant investments have been made by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi in educational and developmental tools to enhance services for people with disabilities.

During a visit to the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in Al Barashi, Sheikha Jawaher was welcomed by Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SCHS, and Muna Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director-General of SCHS. Officials from the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and other organisations under Her Highness's patronage were also present.

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Sheikha Jawaher toured SCHS facilities, examining educational and therapeutic programmes for students with disabilities. These programmes adhere to international best practices in therapeutic education. She also explored products from the Masarat Development and Empowerment Centre, expressing admiration for brands like Taqueen and Danat that showcase creativity among individuals with disabilities.

Her Highness visited Al Wafaa School for Capacity Development, established in 1984 as the UAE's first school for cognitive disabilities. The school has evolved to offer services to individuals with cognitive and multiple disabilities and autism spectrum disorders using modern methods.

The Sharjah Autism Centre, established during the 1994-1995 academic year, was initially part of the Intellectual Development Institute. In 2002, it became a specialised centre providing educational and therapeutic support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

Sheikha Jawaher also viewed administrative buildings designed to accommodate people with disabilities. She engaged with SCHS students and observed various interactive lessons and activities during her visit.

SCHS's Role in Community Integration

Sheikha Jameela Al Qasimi emphasised the importance of this visit: "Her Highness's continuous support reflects the broader commitment of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, our honourary president, to prioritise people and address their needs." The new headquarters is designed to meet specific needs through specialised educational techniques.

Muna Abdul Karim Al Yafei stated that SCHS consistently delivers high-quality services impacting members' lives positively. With 1,143 students enrolled this academic year supported by 714 staff members, including 72 employees with disabilities, SCHS continues its pioneering role since its founding in 1979.

International Recognition and Future Plans

SCHS has received a six-year accreditation from CARF International for its standards in disability services. It is the first organisation in this field within the UAE to earn such recognition. Locally awarded first place in the Sharjah Award for Creative People with Disabilities, SCHS recently partnered internationally with 'Plena Inclusión' in Madrid.

This partnership aims to enhance independence among individuals with intellectual disabilities through a certified training programme supported by the European Union's 'Train2Validate' project. Additionally, Al Amal School for the Deaf has been recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School for eight consecutive years.

SCHS is preparing to host the World Conference on Inclusive Education in September 2025. This event will be held in partnership with Inclusion International and supported by the Government of Sharjah.

With inputs from WAM