More to be done for special needs students

The inclusion in society of people with special needs is still a work in progress in the UAE

Pupils at Al Mushrif Primary School experienced a day wearing blindfolds, wheelchairs and ear muffs as they participated in the One World Many Abilities programme. Photo courtesy Al Mushrif Primary SShow more

Educational inclusion is about creating a safe, accepting and collaborative school environment, in which everyone – including people with special needs – is respected and valued. This is why initiatives such as the "One World, Many Abilities" project, are necessary. As The National reported yesterday, the project aims to sensitise children to disability from a young age. Grade 5 pupils at Al Mushrif Primary School were given the chance to experience disability for themselves – some used wheelchairs; others wore blindfolds. The children also interacted with visiting members of the UAE paraplegic sports community. The pupils participated in wheelchair basketball, blindfolded water polo and swimming while wearing noise-cancelling ear muffs.

The initiative supports a federal law to integrate special needs students into mainstream schools. Earlier this year, the head of special needs at the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, Mariam Al Qubaisi, said that the UAE’s goal is to reach 100 per cent inclusion in schools. Several programmes have been launched across education institutions to ensure that all students are given the same opportunities. For example, a training event held at Zayed University’s Abu Dhabi campus in April showcased the accessibility features that make it possible for special needs students to use everyday devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.

But more can be done to integrate special needs children. Since exclusion and segregation were the norm for many years, it will take time before educational inclusion is properly understood and practised. Experts say that the country lacks the services and support networks necessary to make integration a fact of life. Many private schools have failed to integrate people with special needs into their classrooms because of a lack of resources, facilities or proper training. This situation has to change if we want to reduce the stigma and ease the social adjustment of special needs children in school and life.