Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has launched an initiative to help people with disabilities.
The project, My Community ... A City for Everyone, aims to help the disabled overcome social barriers and prevent them from being the target of discrimination or abuse.
Residents with a disability will be given a chance to integrate and be a vital part of society, said Sheikh Hamdan as he launched the initiative today.
“It is our duty to provide people with disabilities a full opportunity to employ the talents and capabilities God graced them with in what is useful to them and to their community,” he said.
Sheikh Hamdan has instructed the immediate drafting of a law to protect the disabled in Dubai and the launch of a dedicated hotline to report any sign of discrimination, abuse, negligence or exploitation.
In line with the new initiative, Sheikh Hamdan has directed all Dubai government departments, institutions and bodies to take immediate and tangible steps to help integrate those with disabilities into the community.
“Enabling all segments of society is a goal which receives our utmost attention until everybody is turned into a positive and productive force,” he said. “We are keen to give equal opportunities for all and we want all members of society to be positive partners in the development process.”
Sheikh Hamdan said employees should be given the chance to learn sign language to help the deaf and mute, and should have access to materials in Braille .
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