BY ALDHABI ALMHEIRI
Whoever visits the UAE can notice signs supporting individuals with different abilities and additional needs on streets, malls, schools and hospitals. The UAE has always supported children and their different abilities. As a young advocate for education, I believe that every child, regardless of their abilities, deserves an opportunity to learn in an environment that supports them. Inclusive education is about more than just making sure all children are in the same classroom. It's about providing the right tools, resources and support so that every child can succeed. The UAE has been making significant progress towards inclusive education, and as a 10-year-old entrepreneur, I want to add my voice to the call for more inclusion in schools.
Inclusive education means that we are ensuring that children with different needs, whether physical, cognitive or emotional, have basically the same opportunities in life, and we can also learn as everyone else. This requires teachers, schools and students to work together to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
I've seen how children with additional needs can thrive when they are given the right support, and I believe that inclusive education benefits everyone. It's not only for those who have disabilities; for example, some children may need specialised tools or technology that can help them learn or educate themselves, whether that’s an assistive device or a robot, a tailored lesson plan or even extra one-on-one support. Providing resources to ensure that every child can participate fully in classrooms is not only about providing the tools but also about fostering an attitude of inclusivity among students and teachers.
I've made a special central theme in my work through my publishing house, encouraging children to write stories that reflect their unique life perspectives. This not only gives them a voice but also helps others understand and appreciate their differences. I believe stories can be a powerful way to promote empathy and inclusivity in schools.
Our government has shown a strong commitment to inclusive education through policies and initiatives that aim to make schools more accessible to all students, including those who have difficulties. Programmes run by schools to integrate children with disabilities into mainstream schools can provide them with the support that they need to succeed.
While we are aiming to have a future where all children live a high quality of life, I am proud to be part of this mission by offering them a voice through my initiative. Through my writing, storytelling, drawings and illustrations, I help bring their voice to the world. We all need to ensure that all children, regardless of their abilities, age or dreams, can reach their full potential. We can all promote inclusive education, whether as an entrepreneur or educator. Providing the right resources to schools and education institutions can make a huge impact on children to reach their full potential.