ABU DHABI // Six deaf Emiratis have left a special-care centre on their way to a more independent life.
Some of them will be starting secondary school, some want to travel to the United States for study, while others intend to work here.
The big changes in their lives are the result of individual effort, and the environment provided by the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs (ZHO) in Abu Dhabi.
The ZHO has 19 centres, and about 70 people with varying disabilities are moved from the centres to mainstream educational institutions every year.
Haya bani Hammad, the director of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Care and Rehabilitation (ADCCR), one of the 19, said: “It took us almost 10 years to prepare and train these students for the mainstream education system or the job markets. It is really a great achievement.”
The organisation held a ceremony in the capital on Thursday to award certificates to the six hearing-impaired students.
Hamdan Al Hajiri, 16, said he wanted to travel to the United States for his secondary education. He recently completed Grade 9 at the ADCCR.
Hamdan was admitted to the organisation’s school at Grade 1.
Speaking on behalf of his younger brother, Hamad Al Hajiri said: “Today he’s delighted to pass and willing to travel to the US for secondary schooling.”
Hamdan has suffered hearing difficulties since childhood.
“We want him to take a place in society and work like normal people. This is a great moment for us,” said Mr Al Hajiri.
Another of the six, Nasir Al Hosni, 18, spent about 10 years at the centre. He said he wanted to join Abu Dhabi Police.
His brother, Nayef Al Hosni, said that when Nasir was two he had a high fever, which damaged his hearing. But with sign language and hearing aids he could live a normal life.
More than 1,500 people are being treated for different disabilities at the ZHO centres. All are Emirati and most are under the age of 30.
anwar@thenational.ae
