Awareness is biggest need of the hour

The biggest challenge for special needs centres in Dubai is the availability of resources — from equipment to technology, and qualified staff.

This was the sentiment of Isphana Al Khatib, director of Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs.

Al Khatib did, however, say that it was up to centres here to “maximise” the resources they have, in order to be successful.

“At Al Noor, our strengths lie in the fact that we have a very structured service delivery. We are ISO certified and have a very clear vision.” A centre that has been running for nearly 35 years, Al Khatib said awareness continues to be the biggest need of the hour.

“In Dubai, we have such a high expatriate population. It’s so diverse, and that’s where awareness plays a big part. Many of these families integrate back into different cultures, cultures that may be aren’t so accepting, so we need to educate people.”

With the UAE government putting a “considerable focus” on inclusion, Al Khatib said this has been a “game changer” for the differently-abled community.

“They’ve put the spotlight on the rights and opportunities of our students and we have seen the introduction of many inclusive practices too.”

But work is still required on all parts, she said, requiring a collaborative effort from centres, the government and the community.

Speaking positively about the push for more inclusion in education, Al Khatib said it is great to see some students moving into mainstream schools, but she said it’s only beneficial if the school is prepared.

“The environment has to be right and quite often, we see the parents having to bear the cost of a shadow teacher or extra staff, not the school. That needs to change.”

When asked about the fee structure for parents at Al Noor, she broke it down in laymen’s terms. “Fees are a concern for most parents in most schools and centres. Our cost of training each child is close to Dh70,000 a year. We provide a subsidy of Dh25,000 for parents, which the centre is bearing, so the school fee is set at Dh45,000.”

And in cases where the financial costs are simply unfathomable, it has a sponsorship application process in place.

“35 per cent of students are unable to pay the set tuition fees, of which 10 per cent cannot pay any amount at all. Fees sponsorships are given to all the students in need in order to ensure continuity of training. However, such sponsorships are not all covered by donors/sponsors.”

Needs, wants, employability

Talking more on the area of inclusion, Al Khatib said assistive technology is proving “very useful in the field of disability”, adapting mainstream technology in the workplace can avoid individuals feeling alienated. “I think what could get better is that a lot of young people at our centre have the capability for open employment, but the availability is scarce.”

She said it is imperative we look at projects for students after the age of 18 so they can be utilised, but it doesn’t have to necessarily be employment. “They could go into vocational training, or join regular organisations which have a programme on the side that hones in on their abilities. Currently this is where parents are facing their biggest challenge.”

Once a child reaches 18 or 20, parents struggle with what do next. So it’s up to businesses to step up and create space for these individuals.

Over the years, Al Noor has placed close to 85 people in employment and they now have 27 former students currently working.

kelly@khaleejtimes.com