A strategy to ensure people with disabilities can equally participate in social and economic life will be introduced in Abu Dhabi "very soon".
The Department of Community Development made the announcement to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day, which falls on April 2.
The strategy is expected to cover four key areas; health and social welfare, education, employment and inclusive and equipped communities.
The theme for this year's awareness day is 'The transition to adulthood'.
Dr Bushra Al Mulla, executive director of the Community Development Sector at the department, said programmes must be put in place to meet the needs of autistic people during “this vital transition phase” in their lives.
Certain issues need to be prioritised, she said, including inclusive learning at high schools and in higher education, as well as programmes that involve accredited vocational qualification, inclusive and supportive employment, independent living skills, engagement in youth programmes such as volunteer, cultural, entertainment, sports and engagement in decision making and self-determination.
The UAE has laws and policies in place to protect the rights of people with special needs and disabilities.
UAE Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 prevents discrimination against people with disabilities.
Article 16 of the law states that a person’s disability shall not be a barrier to their consideration and selection for a job.
In 2018, Dubai issued a resolution that ensured equal rights for people with disabilities, especially in the labour market.
In the education sector, a policy was launched by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority to ensure all schools are 100 per cent inclusive.
This means Dubai schools are not allowed to refuse admission to people with disabilities.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
