logo
Launch of autism-friendly kits' initiative announced

Launch of autism-friendly kits' initiative announced

Gulf Today17-03-2025
In line with the objectives of the 'Year of the Community' and as part of the #RamadanInDubai campaign, the Dubai Autism Center has announced the launch of an initiative aimed at empowering children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to participate in social and public events. This initiative involves the distribution of specially designed autism-friendly kits, furthering the Centre's efforts to support the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with autism, particularly during significant occasions such as the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.
Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General of the Dubai Autism Center, stated: 'This initiative is part of our commitment to contributing to the goals of the 'Year of the Community,' as declared by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to foster a cohesive and thriving society. It also aligns with our ongoing dedication to supporting families and enabling children with autism to actively engage in social and recreational activities. We recognise the challenges parents face when taking their children to public spaces, and through this autism-friendly kit, we aim to facilitate these experiences and make them more comfortable and enjoyable.'
Al Emadi emphasised that supporting and empowering People of Determination with autism is a collective social responsibility that requires comprehensive collaboration across all sectors.
He further noted that this initiative contributes to enhancing the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with autism, in line with the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination and the 'My Community ... A City for Everyone' initiative, which aims to transform Dubai into a disability-friendly city.
Razan Qandil, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Dubai Autism Center, highlighted that the kit serves as a valuable tool for families to help manage sensory challenges that children with autism may encounter when interacting with their surroundings.
She added, 'This kit is more than just a collection of tools; it is a means to promote the independence of children with autism and encourage their families to participate in social events without concerns over sensory triggers, especially given the increase in activities and family gatherings during Ramadan and Eid.'
Qandil also pointed out that these kits are distributed to public venues and organisations certified as Autism-Friendly, including Dubai Police stations in Al Barsha and Al Muraqqabat, Dubai Airports, Dubai Frame, Children's City, Quranic Park, Etihad Museum, Al Shindagha Museum, Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, Hatta Heritage Village, several libraries affiliated with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Dubai Ambulance Corporation, and the Endowment and Minors' Trust Foundation - Awqaf Dubai.
The Dubai Autism Center encourages parents interested in obtaining the kit to apply through the Center's official communication channels. The Center reaffirms its commitment to launching initiatives that enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism and foster their seamless integration into society.
The Autism-Friendly Certification Program (AFCP), a pioneering initiative in the region, was launched by the Dubai Autism Center in September 2022.
Designed to recognise exemplary organisations in the public and private sectors, the programme aims to foster a more inclusive community by encouraging higher accessibility standards for individuals with autism.
Dubai Autism Center (DAC) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2001. The Centre aims to provide specialised services to take care of children with autism and provide support for their families and caregivers as per Decree No. 26 of 2021 issued by the Ruler of Dubai. The DAC's services include educational, psychological and rehabilitative programmes for children with autism.
The financial resources of the Dubai Autism Center come from subsidies, donations and charitable endowments.
Autism spectrum disorder is one of the most common developmental disorders, typically appearing within the first three years of a child's life and persisting throughout their life stages. Autism affects an individual's communication and social abilities, leading to their isolation from those around them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2021 report, one in 36 children has ASD. This prevalence is observed to be similar in most countries worldwide.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dubai meeting discusses developing charitable work
Dubai meeting discusses developing charitable work

Gulf Today

time4 days ago

  • Gulf Today

Dubai meeting discusses developing charitable work

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) held a meeting of the Advisory Council for the Development of Charitable Work in Dubai to discuss key challenges facing the charitable sector in the emirate. During the meeting, participants also reviewed available development opportunities and appropriate mechanisms to enhance performance efficiency and ensure the sustainability of charitable giving, through strengthened governance, transparency, and the adoption of best practices in the field of charitable and social work. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Department and Chairman of the Advisory Council, emphasised the importance of this coordination meeting, which falls within the Department's efforts to enhance integration and cooperation among various stakeholders in the charitable sector. He noted that the primary goal is to develop the charitable work system in Dubai and to meet the aspirations of the community and the challenges of the upcoming stage — solidifying the emirate's position as a leading hub for sustainable humanitarian work. He added: 'We believe that the development of charitable work can only be achieved through active partnership, unified efforts, and the exchange of expertise among all entities working in this field. This contributes to achieving the desired social impact and supports our wise leadership's vision of reinforcing the values of giving and solidarity.' Recently, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) announced its contribution of Dhs1 million in support of the Fathers' Endowment campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Coinciding with Ramadan, the campaign aims to establish an endowment fund that provides sustainable healthcare for the poor and needy. The Fathers' Endowment campaign aims to promote the values of honouring parents, compassion, and solidarity. It also highlights the vital role of fathers in the UAE in fostering supportive family environments that promote the well-being of all. The campaign seeks to provide healthcare to those in need within underserved communities worldwide, contributing to a dignified life and reinforcing the UAE's leading role in regional and international charitable and humanitarian efforts. Under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the campaign aims to further establish the noble values within Emirati society, including generosity, giving, and global humanitarian solidarity, while also advancing the concept of charitable endowments. Ahmed Darwish Al-Muhairi, Director-General of IACAD, said the Department's contribution to the Fathers' Endowment campaign reflects its deep commitment to supporting community and humanitarian initiatives that foster solidarity and generosity. WAM

'We were heard': Father thanks Dubai Ruler for Dh7 million that saved child's life
'We were heard': Father thanks Dubai Ruler for Dh7 million that saved child's life

Khaleej Times

time6 days ago

  • Khaleej Times

'We were heard': Father thanks Dubai Ruler for Dh7 million that saved child's life

In a calm and quite infusion room inside Dubai's Al Jalila Children's Hospital, two-and-a-half-year-old Yaqeen Ibrahim Kanaker giggles as her father gently plays with her. Around her, doctors and nurses move quietly, preparing the equipments required for the treatment. The atmosphere is calm, full of anticipation and hope. At 9.05am, doctors along with the nurses walked in carrying a small, sealed red box that contains the life-saving gene therapy medicine and could change Yaqeen's future forever. Looking at it, Yaqeen's mother stood frozen as she saw the medicine being brought in. Her eyes followed every movement. And then, she smiled, the kind of smile that only a mother who's lived through months of fear and sleepless nights could give. Her eyes rose up, but she didn't cry. Instead, she took a deep breath of relief, of hope, and of gratitude. 'Today, my daughter gets a second chance at life,' she said softly, almost as if trying to convince herself that this wasn't just another dream. A few weeks ago, this moment felt impossibly far. The family, Syrian nationals residing in the UAE, had launched an emotional plea on social media to save their daughter who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare, serious, and life-threatening genetic disorder and the treatment costs Dh7 million. But then came a miracle — Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, responded to their plea. His office reached out directly to the family and informed them that he would cover the full cost of the gene therapy, giving Yaqeen the lifeline she urgently needed. 'I still can't believe it,' said Ibrahim Kaneker, Yaqeen's father. 'When I got the call, I broke down. I didn't know what to say. I never imagined our cry for help would reach Sheikh Mohammed himself. May God bless him and give him abundantly, he saved our daughter's life.' 'She just stopped moving her legs' Yaqeen was six months old when her parents noticed something wasn't right. 'She had just started rolling over,' said her mother. 'But then, she stopped. She wasn't kicking her legs anymore. She was quiet. We thought maybe she was tired. But then the days went by... and nothing changed.' After multiple visits to the doctors and several rounds of testing, the family was given the heartbreaking diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy, Type 2. It is a genetic condition that affects motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, gradually weakening the muscles that control movement, breathing, and swallowing. 'We were shattered,' said Ibrahim. 'She was so small… how could she already have something so serious? As a father, you want to protect your child. But how do you protect her from something inside her own body?' Arrival of treatment Dr Haitham El Bashir, neuro-rehabilitation specialist and head of the gene therapy programme at Al Jalila Children's Hospital, oversaw Yaqeen's treatment. 'She has been diagnosed with SMA, and her symptoms began at around six months,' he said. 'We saw her a few weeks ago, ran all the necessary tests and screening, and confirmed she is eligible for gene therapy.' The therapy, which costs millions, is a one-time infusion that works by replacing the faulty gene responsible for SMA. 'Today is a big day for her,' said Dr El Bashir. 'The infusion will take about an hour, and then she will stay with us for 24 hours for observation. After that, she will visit us weekly for the next three months so we can monitor her progress. I am very optimistic. She is already showing signs of strength, and with this therapy, she'll have a real chance.' Yaqeen's mother did not speak much. She didn't need to and her expressions said it all. 'This moment, I will remember forever. When I saw the medicine being brought in… I can't describe the feeling. It was like the weight of the world was lifted from my chest. My daughter's smile tells me everything will be okay.' A nation that cares As the family shared their story, there was one emotion that was repeated again and again: gratitude. Gratitude to the UAE, to the hospital staff, to strangers who shared their posts and prayed for them. And most of all, to Sheikh Mohammed. 'He didn't know us. But he helped us like we were his own,' said Ibrahim. My daughter has a chance because we are here, because we were heard.'

UAE's Make-A-Wish Foundation brings joy to 418 children in 'Year of Community'
UAE's Make-A-Wish Foundation brings joy to 418 children in 'Year of Community'

Gulf Today

time16-07-2025

  • Gulf Today

UAE's Make-A-Wish Foundation brings joy to 418 children in 'Year of Community'

In a year designated by the wise leadership as the 'Year of Community,' Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE, affirmed that the foundation succeeded in embodying its humanitarian vision, achieving its strategy and mission by bringing joy and hope to the hearts of hundreds of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. This was realised through the fulfilment of 418 wishes in just the first half of 2025. Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif stated, "The Year of the Community was a powerful motivator for us to double our efforts and elevate our sense of responsibility towards sick children and their families, reaffirming that the UAE will always remain a beacon of hope and a voice of compassion.' She added, "The 'Year of the Community' was not just a slogan, but a moment of national and humanitarian consciousness in which the UAE's community—both institutions and individuals—proved that solidarity and generosity are at the heart of the Emirati identity. Sick children deserve that we all be a bridge connecting them to life, to hope, and to happiness.' Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif clarified that the foundation granted wishes in three sister countries: Egypt (109 wishes), Jordan (63 wishes), and Yemen (15 wishes), in addition to 231 wishes granted within the UAE. The wishes this year included children from 25 different nationalities, reflecting the foundation's deep human diversity and cultural openness. She continued, "Every wish we fulfill is a message of life, and every child's smile lights the paths of hope and restores the true meaning of humanity. These achievements are the result of joint efforts and fruitful cooperation between the foundation and its partners in both the public and private sectors.' In conclusion, Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif extended heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all supporters, partners, and members of the foundation's team, saying, "You are the true heartbeat of this humanitarian work. Thanks to you, the foundation can continue fulfilling its noble mission with commitment and professionalism. You are our partners in turning small dreams into a bright and impactful reality. The wishes granted fell into three main categories: Wishes to receive something (369 wishes): These included cutting-edge electronic devices, bicycles and electric scooters, a Shaheen falcon, a camel, a horse, a piano, bedroom furniture, gold jewellrey, a television, outdoor playsets, and many more that reflected the diverse interests of children. Wishes to go somewhere (48 wishes): This included 9 domestic trips to destinations such as the Museum of the Future, Atlantis Hotel (with dolphin swimming experiences), Sharjah Safari, Warner Bros. Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld, Ferrari World, and other entertainment venues that combined joy and memorable experiences. Wishes to travel abroad (39 wishes): Destinations spanned cities and dreams around the world, including Disneyland Orlando, Paris, Tokyo, Japan, Manchester, Korea, Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia, the Maldives, Thailand, Moscow, India, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and religious journeys such as Umrah. WAM

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store