Support and Facilities for People of Determination in UAE
As a nation, the UAE has tried its best to strive for a community that is inclusive of people from all walks of life, which is especially reflected in its multiculturalism. But, beyond that, it has ensured that it prospers a society that accepts people irrespective of their abilities and circumstances. Known as People of Determination (PoD), these citizens with special needs are given priority by the government in varied ways to help them get equal footing in society.
The tailored services, inclusive policies, and innovative initiatives by the Government of the UAE have been designed to help these people live an independent and dignified life. They help these people feel empowered by meaningfully contributing to the various aspects of their lives.
In this space, we are going to learn more about the various policies put in place by the government to safeguard these people. We are going to take a closer look into the distinct benefits for the people of determination in the country along with the online services they can avail of and the laws that protect them.
Who are Considered People of Determination in the UAE?
The National Policy for Empowering People with Special Needs refers to people with disabilities or special needs as people of determination. The term recognizes their achievements in various other fields and thus has a positive connotation to it. As per the law, a person with special needs is someone who is suffering from a permanent or temporary, full or partial deficiency or infirmity in their physical, mental, psychological, communication, sensory, or educational abilities to an extent that limits the possibility to perform ordinary requirements.
The efforts of the Government of the UAE have been universally applauded for their inclusivity in making the people of determination valued members of the society. By offering facilities and services that accommodate their needs, the government aims to build to more diverse society that is inclusive of them along with their families.
Laws Protecting People of Determination in the UAE
To protect the people of determination in the UAE, the government has put in place a comprehensive legal framework that gives them equal opportunities as well as access to essential services. These laws help promote the inclusivity, empowerment, and dignity of the people of determination across various facets of life.
In accordance with Federal Law No. 2 of 2001, people of determination are entitled to receive monthly assistance subject to terms as per the existing laws. The Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 Concerning the Rights of People with Disabilities, which is amended with the Federal Law No. 14 of 2009, has been put in place to protect the rights of these people while guaranteeing them the right to live with dignity.
Any sort of discrimination against the people of determination is strictly condemned by the law. These discriminations refer to any kind of exclusion, restriction, or segregation made on grounds of special needs that may lead to the denial of recognition or damage of rights provided by the legislative power of the UAE. In the process, the country promotes their social inclusion.
Additionally, Law No. 3 of 2022 on the Rights of People of Determination in the Emirate of Dubai has been established to include people of determination in the procedure of drafting and framing of legislation and policies that may concern their quality of life. The law states their rights and the services that relevant entities should offer them, including education, healthcare, rehabilitation, employment, legal, religious, and bureaucratic.
These people should be able to access data and information from varied platforms and must be informed of the legal rights they are entitled to. Additionally, they must be given easy access to banking services and provided opportunities to participate in entertainment and sports programs, among others.
Furthermore, the law outlines the responsibilities of the governmental entities to ensure this law is implemented properly. It also specifies the creation of the ‘Higher Committee to Protect the Rights of People of Determination’. This permanent committee will be tasked with not only implementing various initiatives, plans, and policies aimed at protecting the rights of people of determination but also supervising all affairs concerning them in Dubai.
Benefits for People of Determination in the UAE
People of determination are provided with a wide range of benefits in essential sectors in the UAE to ensure they have access to a dignified and comfortable lifestyle. Let us take a look individually at some of these sectors.
Education
Special educational programs are provided to any student with a disability, difficulty, disorder, exceptionality, impairment, or any other factor that affects their access to learning performances. These programs help these students reach their full potential.
As per Article 12 of Federal Law No. 29 of 2006, the UAE guarantees students with special needs equal opportunities within all educational and vocational training institutions in special as well as regular classes by ensuring the availability of curriculum in Braille, sign language, or any other allied appropriate method.
People of determination are allowed to enroll in whichever school they prefer, without any exception and the Ministry of Education (MoE) plans to adapt public schools to open their doors for providing education to people of determination. The Department of Special Education was formed in 2008 by the MoE in an attempt to make sure that people of determination have similar educational opportunities as students in regular educational institutes.
The government also aims to provide qualified professional teachers and specialists along with appropriate learning materials and supportive technologies to cater to the needs of people of determination. The Ministerial Resolution No. 647 for the year 2020 on the policy of inclusive education showcases the efforts of the government to include people of determination in mainstream education.
Schools are required to provide wheelchair ramps and elevators, and utilities prepared for students with physical disabilities along with special educational resource rooms. Offering parents counseling sessions and diagnoses to students is also part of the process.
Medical Facilities
As per Article 2 of Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 Concerning the Rights of People with Special Needs, the special needs of a person shouldn’t deprive them of rights and services in welfare programs, including health. The Emirates Health Services (EHS) issues medical cards to these people to help them avail of free medical services through EHS.
The Ministry of Community Development (MoCD) provides cards to attain free health insurance and medical glasses for children with special needs as well. Furthermore, the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO) uses certified global standards to offer evaluation and assessment of the psychological, social, and mental health of people of determination. It also provides hippo-therapy to help them develop multiple skills.
Community Development Authority (CDA) issues cards to these people to get them various medical services and facilities. In Abu Dhabi, people of determination can avail of medical emergencies by sending an SMS to 5999 and reporting their location, incident, and phone number. The Dubai Health Facility Guidelines 2019 specifies that healthcare facilities need to ensure that they are functional and safe for patients, staff, and everyone else, including people of determination.
Employment Opportunities
The efforts of the UAE Government to provide equal and fair employment opportunities to people of determination have also been applauded. The Dubai Government Law No. 2 of 2014 and the Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 Concerning the Rights of People with Special Needs are the two laws that have been established to safeguard the employment rights of people of determination.
Article 16 of the said federal law states that UAE nationals with special needs must have the right to work and hold public offices without feeling constrained by the barriers of their special needs. Additionally, their special needs must be taken into consideration while testing their competency for the concerned job. The CDA, ZHO, and the MoCD offer various employment opportunities for them as well.
Resolution No. 43 of 2018 in support of the people of determination aims at providing access to opportunities to people of determination in the labour market. It ensures they are not discriminated against and stresses the need to provide healthy working conditions to them.
They can’t be terminated from their services or put into retirement because of their disabilities once they are employed until they reach the age of retirement or a medical committee decides they are unfit to work. Additionally, it also encourages the private sector to employ them in their institutions.
Transportation
The country offers access to affordable, safe, sustainable, and accessible transportation systems for people of determination. In Abu Dhabi, people of determination are offered subsidized fares at various public transportation modes. They also get free unlimited travel on all buses in the city and its suburbs using the Hafilat smart card.
There are special public parking spaces allotted to them and they are also exempted from Mawaqif parking fees. In addition, the pavements, walkways, building entrances, public parking spaces, and pedestrian overbridges and underpasses are being made friendlier for people of determination to accommodate their mobility needs.
In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) provides tailored services to people of determination. There are dedicated parking spaces for them and they are not required to pay the Salik toll on one vehicle. The Dubai Taxi Corporation operates taxis 24 hours a day all across the emirate, specifically for people of determination. These taxis are equipped with a wheelchair on board, special lifts for wheelchairs, and artificial respiratory systems, among other facilities.
They can also use special Nol cards on Dubai metro and public buses to travel for free. Not to mention, the metro stations feature various facilities to be more inclusive towards people of determination including tactile floor paths, audio notices, side hand rests in escalators, and designated space for a wheelchair in metro carriages, among others.
Dubai ferry and water buses are also extremely inclusive as they offer various features to make marine transport user-friendly to people of determination. The MoCD offers an ID card for people of determination to provide them with various transport benefits and facilities.
Rehabilitation
The Harmonization of Disabled Persons initiative has been launched by the MoCD to help people of determination easily integrate themselves into society. It helps in issuing ‘Atheer’ cards to them which provides them with a wide range of privileges and services in health and housing. In addition, they get an exemption from vehicle-related service fees and discounts on mobile data packages.
The Ministry of Interior's Centers for the Rehabilitation and Employment for People with Special Needs provides rehabilitation as well as employment and training opportunities for them as well. ZHO offers orphanages, social services, and special needs institutions in Abu Dhabi to further add to their wellness. In Dubai, CDA issues Sanad cards to both Emiratis and expatriate residents of determination to give them privileges to special services.
Some of the other notable centers that offer rehabilitation programs to them include Dubai Autism Center, Dubai Club for People of Determination, Noor Dubai, Dubai Center for Special Needs, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped (Sharjah), and UAE Deaf Association, among others.
Awards and Initiatives
Over the past few years, several awards and initiatives have been taken by the government to acknowledge and recognize the efforts of people of determination and to support their rights.
The Khalifa Award for Education awards institutes and individuals who work in the field of education for people of determination. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – (GDRFA) Dubai was awarded the special ‘Wosool’ seal for accommodating the needs of people of determination.
The Abu Dhabi Comprehensive Strategy for People of Determination 2020-2024 has been initiated to create an enabling and accessible environment in housing, building, transportation, and other allied services to support people of determination.
Cultural and sports events are also organized across the nation to help these people showcase their talents. These programs inspire individuals and motivate them to engage in broader societal participation.
Online Services for PoD in the UAE
The government offers various online services to the people of determination that range from providing monthly social assistance to translating documents into sign languages. By incorporating simple services on websites such as the use of vivid colors, the option to increase the size of the text, text-to-speech software, and ALT text, online services are made user-friendly to people of determination.
To let them know what they can expect before clicking on a ‘Call to Action’ button, icons are paired with their associated labels. In 2018, the government launched the ‘Emirati Sign Language Dictionary’ to help standardize and develop the signs used by people with hearing impairments. It is available online and is in line with National Agenda and Vision 2021, which strives for a cohesive society and inclusive environment.
Besides, there are provisions online to request medical cards, mobile healthcare, PoD cards, educational materials in Braille, membership in a sports club for PoD, and a card to indicate you are a PoD, among others.
To Conclude
The UAE Government has taken progressive steps to safeguard the interests of people of determination and provide them with opportunities to make them feel included in society. From educational benefits to healthcare privileges, from employment opportunities to rehabilitation services, every essential sector has been given attention to make them more accommodating of the needs of the said people.
With laws put in place and policies, initiatives, and online services, the government hopes this will lay out the opportunities for people of determination to feel like equal members of society. In fact, the commitment of the government to support them has been seen as setting an international benchmark for other nations to be more sensitive and inclusive through empowering initiatives.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the Facilities for People of Determination
How to Get a PoD Card in the UAE?
To get a PoD card in the UAE, you can head to the MoCD website and submit a personal photograph with a white background along with a formal report issued by an authorized government hospital. The process is free of charge. You will receive text and email notifications when you are applying.
Once your application is processed and reviewed by the competent department, the evaluation committee will review it to see if it meets the eligibility criteria. If yes, then the card will be sent through the delivery service of People of Determination Care and Rehabilitation Center.
What are the benefits of a PoD card in the UAE?
The PoD card in the UAE offers an eclectic range of benefits, all designed to support people of determination. It includes various discounts on transportation, utilities, and entertainment, along with several exemptions from various types of fees. The card also provides special treatment, such as special mobility chairs, dedicated parking spaces, and private waiting rooms in public spaces.
How does the UAE support People of determination?
The UAE supports people of determination by offering them a wide range of benefits in various sectors, such as education, healthcare, employment, and rehabilitation. The government has established laws to safeguard their interests and provide them with equal opportunities in society without any discrimination.
What rehabilitation services are offered to people of determination?
The government issues ‘Atheer’ cards to people of determination which provides them with various privileges and services in health and housing. They also get an exemption from vehicle-related service fees and discounts on mobile data packages. There are dedicated orphanages, social services, and special needs institutions to cater to their wellness. The Sanad Card is issued in Dubai to grant them various privileges as well.
How can people support individuals of determination around them?
In general, people need to be respectful to people of determination and ask them before helping them. They need to make sure they are not using any patronizing tone or gestures. By making them feel a valuable part of society, they can promote disability inclusivity.