MOCD begins registration for differently-abled pupils

The Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) announced the beginning of registration of People of Determination students for the next academic year 2024/2025 beginning from 15th April until 28th June through the ministry’s website www.mocd.gov.ae.

Admission is limited to children with intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities where intellectual disability coexists with other disabilities.

The number of graduating students for the previous academic year 2022/2023 reached approximately 53 students who benefited from the rehabilitation and educational services aimed at developing their skills in various fields and enhancing their social inclusion to achieve empowerment and comprehensive inclusion.

The services provided by the people of determination centres vary between physical and occupational therapy for developing motor skills, speech therapy, as well as psychological assessment and behavior modification services, educational classes focusing on students’ cognitive and general life skills, vocational rehabilitation services to empower people of determination with the professional skills they need to enhance their abilities and potentials, helping them access employment opportunities.

The early intervention centres and units affiliated by the ministry provide rehabilitation services for children with confirmed disabilities, developmental delays, or at risk of developmental delays under the age of 6 years whether physical, sensory, or communicative conditions to mitigate the effects of disability on the child and their family if present, and reduce the likelihood of developmental delays turning into disabilities.

Additionally, they educate families and involve them in family training programmes aimed at enhancing children’s abilities in various cognitive, communicative, social, and physical aspects.

The Emirates Early Intervention Program annually identifies children who are approaching inclusion once they reach (4) years old.

Both specialised team and the family agree to enrol the expected inclusive child in an intensive rehabilitation program, while an individual transition plan is developed for each child, outlining the expected educational goals to be achieved, six months before the beginning of inclusion. Subsequently, an evaluation of the transition plan outcomes is conducted to assess the extent of goal achievement in collaboration with the Emirates Schools Establishment.

The mechanism of students’ inclusion into public education is annually implemented in collaboration with Emirates Schools Establishment through nominating and evaluating eligible students for the inclusion process. The guardian must register electronically while competent staff in the people of determination centres must follow up the process in cooperation with the support committee. Qualified individuals from the support committee of the Emirates Schools Establishment evaluate the nominated cases according to specific criteria and standards.

If the student succeeds these assessments, they are included into the appropriate stage based on their abilities and age.

Recently, The MoCD and the Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi (DCD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation, coordination and exchange of expertise between the two entities.

This MoU serves to support and enable strategic ties and partnerships, facilitating joint efforts to improve the quality of services provided within the social sector.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, and Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of DCD, in addition to leaders from both parties.

The MoU aims to strengthen the frameworks of cooperation and coordination between the two entities, in relation to non-governmental social care institutions and centres operating within the social sector in Abu Dhabi, regulating their activities, activating their role in society and enabling them to provide specialised services in a way that enhances the quality of life of all members of society.

The MoU also aims to enhance the quality of social services by continuing to improve the licensing, inspection and oversight system in accordance with applicable legislation, through joint communication and coordination plans between the two sides.

WAM