Today's Edition
LAMIA AL HARMOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Over the course of an entire year, the Zayed Higher Organisation (ZHO) for People of Determination in Abu Dhabi attained a slew of pioneering and distinguished achievements at the local and regional levels, supporting and enhancing the role of people of determination in society.
The ZHO was able to push for the nationalisation of the profession “special education teacher” through the training and qualification of 60 trainees. It also concluded a cooperation agreement at the regional level to raise the level of awareness among families of people of determination in rural areas in Egypt. Under the agreement, 60 centres for people of determination affiliated with the Ministry will be rehabilitated and developed in 2024.
In remarks to Aletihad, Abdullah Abdul Ali Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of the ZHO, highlighted that Abu Dhabi is keen to provide decent life for all, especially people of determination, as it has established specialised centres to care for and work to empower and integrate them into society. It prioritises obtaining various services for people of determination in all state institutions, in appreciation of their constructive contributions, and in appreciation of their families who encourage them towards giving.
“Thanks to the support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, and his generous patronage of the organisation. With His Highness’ wise directives, this constitutes a platform of action for the organisation’s family, and always motivates us to exert our utmost capabilities in serving our sons and daughters of people of determination and all beneficiaries of the institution.”
The organisation is keen to provide distinguished services to all people, including people of determination in Abu Dhabi, adhering to highest international standards, by launching vital initiatives and projects implemented in various fields. They cover a number of new projects, and ongoing ones, including supportive therapeutic services, evaluation, early intervention, and other specialised services provided at its various centres spread across Abu Dhabi, he said.
“In 2023, the organisation worked to develop projects, in accordance with the vision of the national policy to enable people of determination and the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination through projects and indicators included in the organisation’s strategy for the year 2023-2025,’’ Al Humaidan added.
Elaborating on the projects and achievements during 2023, Al Humaidan said: “There were a number of important projects and achievements, the most prominent of which was the launch of the ‘Abu Dhabi for All’ platform, which the organisation announced in cooperation with the Emirates Foundation for School Education. There were also a number of projects implemented in cooperation with strategic partners in the field of tourism and hospitality, including the first smart geographic map to support people of determination’s access to 296 facilities ready to receive them across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, of which 206 educational facilities are accessible.”
He stressed that in Abu Dhabi, all data is continuously updated through the ZHO, which covers 206 inclusive schools for people of determination, 12 tourist facilities, 35 hotels of various classifications, three mosques, three higher education facilities, seven shopping centres, seven cultural places, seven restaurants, two hospitals, and 15 public parks.
The ZHO also launched an application about sustainability for people of determination.
“It is updated periodically. It is considered a guide to solutions and equipping homes for people of determination to facilitate access for people in need of preparing their homes and informing them of the available solutions to the challenges they face and the approved companies that will help them provide devices and equipment necessary for its implementation. Additionally, the app provides options available in the market, and also information that helps them know their needs, as well as the possibility of booking an appointment to take advice from the organisation’s specialists.’’
