ABU DHABI (WAM)
The Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi (DCD) today unveiled its policy on the Protection of People of Determination. The policy will be activated in collaboration with Family Care Authority, which consider the central body for receiving all cases of people with disability that will be addressed in cooperation with other relevant stakeholders and authorities, strategic partners and community members in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The policy aims to provide the support and protection to people of determination from all forms of maltreatment including abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination based on disability by establishing, unifying and activating a systematic mechanism. It will ensure that people with disabilities have access to protection measures and services tailored to their needs. This starts with raising community awareness and prevention and early detection of cases of abuse, reporting, conducting evaluation, and providing the necessary interventions to protect people with disabilities, so they can enjoy a safe life away from exposure to any type of maltreatment.
In addition, the policy emphasises that protecting people of determination is the responsibility of everyone, including families, workers, and service providers across various sectors. It seeks to raise community awareness of the rights of people of determination, the mechanisms for reporting cases of any maltreatment, and highlight the efforts made by Abu Dhabi government to build a supportive and empowering society and environment for people of determination.
Furthermore, it is crucial to reduce behavioural, communication, physical, and institutional barriers that people of determination face within their environment, to enable them to fully participate in society on an equal basis with others.
Dr. Layla Abdulaziz Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector at DCD, said, “The launch of this policy comes as part of our ongoing efforts towards enhancing the rights of people of determination and provide them with opportunities that integrate them into all aspects of life. We achieve this by removing obstacles and motivating them to achieve their full potential, which is an important step towards reinforcing a permanent and ongoing commitment to improve their quality of life, and enhancing equal access to their rights, opportunities, services, thereby taking us closer to achieving societal justice.”
Asma Al Azri, Executive Director of the Family Cases Sector at Family Care Authority, said, “Our goal is to activate a unified and systematic mechanism to receive the files of beneficiaries of people of determination, make necessary assessments cases, and provide services and specialised care, as well as necessary care. We also aim to take proactive preventative measures in addition to receiving cases of abuse reported to ensure immediate intervention to protect people of determination via The Family Care Authority's call Center at 800-444.”