Today's Edition
KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development and the Family Care Authority have launched a groundbreaking new policy to protect people of determination from all forms of maltreatment including abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination based on disability.
The policy, which marks an evolution of the earlier 2020 strategy, is designed to ensure that people with disabilities have access to protection measures and services, and establishes mechanisms for reporting cases of any maltreatment.
Asma Al Azri, Executive Director – Family Cases Sector, Family Care Authority told Aletihad that the new policy would streamline the process of addressing cases of mistreatment and ultimately empower those with disabilities.
"Abu Dhabi has a vision of building an inclusive and safe society that guarantees full rights for all of its citizens and their dignity, including people of determination," she said.
"And this focus is not only to provide services, but also to ensure they lead dignified, independent life while enjoying protection and active participation in the society."
Al Azri explained that the plan included several components, starting with a prolonged education campaign that would inform the public on how they can report mistreatment anonymously. She said the success of the protection mechanisms being installed depended on the public's awareness and ultimately their participation in ensuring the safety and protection of people of determination.
She said once cases had been raised with the Family Care Authority, they would then be analysed and given an intervention plan. This would include a holistic intervention that included support for caregivers as well as disabled individuals, connecting them with one of the many support providers that the authority partners with.
"We make sure that all cases received or reported are well taken care of, assessed and the proper and right and customised intervention plan is put in place and implemented," Al Azri said.
"Every intervention plan is tailored based on the individual's needs, the type of disability and the structure of the family as well, gets studied, meaning we do the holistic intervention not only for an individual themselves, but the whole support system around them."
Al Azri said while this is a welcome step in stopping abuse, their work is far from done, and she hopes that more can be done to see Abu Dhabi and the UAE become one of the most inclusive societies in the world.
"Efforts did not start yesterday, and it will continue, and we will always enhance and develop for the well-being of our community, regardless of their background, regardless of their type of disability," she said.
The Family Care Authority currently runs several centres across the emirate of Abu Dhabi which can contacted by caregivers and anonymous complainants. The authority can be reached 24/7 at 800 444.
