DUBAI // While the push to include disabled children in public schools is evident, a lack of cohesion in the private sector means the situation is often desperate for expatriate parents.
Some schools offer special needs departments with staff that can diagnose pupils' needs and tailor programmes to them, such as JSS International School in Dubai - one of only 11 schools to score a "good" on the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) ratings released in February.
Accessibility: How the requirements of people with special needs are being met
Last Updated: June 1, 2011
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More on services for disabled people in the UAE
According to the DSIB report, very few Indian and Pakistani schools have such support programmes, meaning schools restrict admission for special needs students, stating a lack of resources, which leaves families with limited options.
Muhammad Afrasyab Satti, who is from Pakistan, moved to Dubai from Saudi Arabia with his family last year and spent months in a fruitless search for a school for his blind daughter. Public schools were not an option, because they do not admit expatriate children. Even an association for the blind was unable to help, he said. He is giving up - quitting his job and taking his family back to Karachi.
"It is shocking that there is very little awareness about services for special needs in the UAE," he said.
Expatriate parents are often reduced to begging individual schools to admit their children with disabilities, said Dr Eman Gaad, dean of the faculty of education at the British University in Dubai, who is also the chairwoman of the UAE Down Syndrome Association. Instead they should arm themselves with the 2006 disability law and argue for their rights.
"You go to the nearest school and tell them you have a child with a disability and are ready to work with them to include him or her because it is their right," she said.
Unfortunately, even if they can find their children a spot, expatriate parents are still left to shoulder the financial burden of supporting them while there.
"If a parent is willing to pay for assistants and other resources required for their child," said Dr Gaad. "There is no reason for a school to deny admission."
aahmed@thenational.ae
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Favourite book: The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma
Pet Peeve: Racism
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What puts her off: Dishonesty in all its forms
Happiest period in her life: The beginning of her 30s
Favourite movie: "I have two. The Pursuit of Happiness and Homeless to Harvard"
Role model: Everyone. A child can be my role model
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
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