Dubai raises social funding for people with disabilities by 60%

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has approved a Dh70 million social support package for disabled citizens in the emirate.

The latest benefits scheme represents a 60 per cent increase in funding from last year, when Dh44 million was distributed to help people with disabilities.

The assistance will cover fees for kindergarten, school and university enrolment, training and rehabilitation at specialised institutions, and the costs of employing shadow teachers, caregivers, personal assistants and sign-language interpreters.

The project will also finance assistive devices and technologies, repair of vehicles, transportation and the costs of ensuring workplaces are equipped with facilities for people with disabilities, referred to as people of determination by the UAE government.

The investment is in line with the emirate's vision to “empower people of determination, make them productive members of the community and support them in contributing to the emirate’s development journey,” a Dubai Media Office statement said.

Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of State and director general of Dubai's Community Development Authority, said the additional funding would ensure social support reached a larger number of people and would bolster efforts to create a more inclusive society.

She underlined that rehabilitation support provided as part of the initiative would greatly benefit children with disabilities and reduces the financial burden faced by their families.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, attends an iftar banquet with autistic children and their families at Emirates Towers. All photos: Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Hamdan spent time with his young guests during the Ramadan event
The Dubai Crown Prince underlined the UAE's commitment to an inclusive society
Sheikh Hamdan later shared a video footage of the iftar on social media

Sheikh Hamdan has long been a champion of people with disabilities.

He told of his delight at attending an iftar banquet last week with a group of “incredible children” on the autism spectrum.

Sheikh Hamdan stressed the UAE's determination to deliver the “best possible care and services” to people with disabilities after taking part in the Ramadan gathering.

He spent time with the young guests and their families during the reception held at Emirates Towers in Dubai on Wednesday, where he was joined by Ms Buhumaid.

“As part of ensuring the happiness of the community, Dubai’s leadership places high priority on ensuring the welfare of people of determination,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

“All people of determination deserve to receive the highest quality of services. I was delighted to participate in the iftar banquet and interact with the children and their families,” he said.

In March last year he visited the Dubai Autism Centre.

The non-profit centre was established in 2001.

Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

While you're here

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”