A delegation from Disabled Access International recently met with the Director-General of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammad Al-Qasimi to discuss issues relating to people with special needs.
During the visit, Disabled Access International inspected the existing rehabilitation school at Sharjah City and discussed the proposed rehabilitation school for children with special needs that will accommodate up to 2500 children with specialised class rooms and facilities for each type rehabilitation service to be provided for the school’s children with disabilities and special needs.
Disabled Access International offered to assist Sheikha Jameela by providing design advice to the school’s designers during the project design stages and to conduct building audits during the construction stages and at the completion of building works.
Sheikha Jameela was hopeful that the proposed rehabilitation school for children with special needs at Sharjah would be commenced in early 2008.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Disability Act (Federal Law No.29/2006) protects the rights of children with disabilities and special needs and seeks to correct this imbalance by requiring equitable access and related facilities for children with disabilities and special needs into all new property developments that include schools and rehabilitation schools.
Wayne Boyle, General Manager of Disabled Access International said: “We fully support the proposed Sharjah Rehabilitation School’s initiatives and will assist with the new school design to ensure that the rehabilitation facility will have the best international practice design guidelines incorporated into the School’s design to support the UAE Disability Act (Federal Law No.29/2006).
Building designers, construction companies, building owners and managers must ensure that access and related facilities are provided for people with disabilities and special needs, including children and ensure that the access and facilities are available at all times maintained at all times.
We applaud and fully support the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services proposed rehabilitation school for children with disabilities and special needs and look forward to being involved in this worthy community project.”
