My community ... a city for everyone
In order to promote the initiative and set Dubai as a leading example, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai launched the “My Community ... A City for Everyone” initiative in November 2013, which aims at transforming Dubai into a disability-friendly city by 2020.
Shaikh Mansour said Dubai intends to do so through several projects and activities designed to maximise the participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities, and eliminate various barriers which currently prevent them from achieving their full potential as participating and contributing members of society.
Shaikh Mansour said the leadership is aware that turning Dubai into a disability-friendly city can only be achieved by combining the collective efforts of the whole society, which includes both private and public sectors, as well as all members of the community.
According to the new law and towards the My Community initiative, Shaikh Hamdan, issued the Executive Council’s decision No. 3 of 2014. “The decision stipulates the establishment of the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities under my supervision,” Shaikh Mansour said. The aim of this committee is to implement the articles of the local law and supervise the implementation of the initiative and the work plan aimed at protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
“It is our role and responsibility to work on eliminating any differences, even if it requires amendments to our laws and significant changes in our attitudes, daily practices, and behaviour; this is to ensure that persons with disabilities in particular do not feel any different,” he said.
Outcomes of initiative
Shaikh Mansour said when the My Community initiative was first launched, two paths were adopted.
The first entailed developing a strategic plan and drawing a road map for coming years; and the second revolved around following up on the implementation of quick and vital initiatives, which have been identified based on the information gathered from previously adopted policies.
“Some of these initiatives include preparations to launch a social awareness campaign to change the prevailing perception towards persons with disabilities; as well as establishing a communication system that provides information on disabilities and the services offered which also includes a dedicated call centre for the hearing-impaired,” he said.
Shaikh Mansour said employees of emergency centres, police officers, and other relevant stakeholders have received sensitisation training on types of disabilities and effective ways to offer persons with disabilities quality services on an equal basis with others.
Furthermore, governmental entities were instructed to modify their websites and render them accessible for persons with disabilities. Finally, we have instructed all governmental entities not to segregate or discriminate based on a person’s disability in regards to education and employment opportunities,” he said.
Additionally, Shaikh Mansour said there is currently a government — wide task force working on devising work-plans to assess the level of accessibility of the already existing infrastructure, transportation and communications systems to ensure full access to persons with disabilities.
“We also call on them to work on devising proper plans to offer rehabilitation and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. We expect them to introduce initiatives and follow the policies and rules that help us achieve our goal of transforming Dubai into a disability-friendly city by 2020. The cooperation and support of the private sector and the participation of all levels of society will expedite the fulfilment of our shared aims,” he added.