Sharjah 24: The World Disability Union (WDU) at its headquarters in the Emirate of Sharjah, honoured the bodies and institutions that implement environmental standards for people with disabilities,
10 Oct, 2021
The
ceremony, held for the fifth time, was attended by Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadim,
Vice President of the World Disability Union; Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabeh Al
Tunaiji, Chairman of the Holy Quran Academy (HQA) in Sharjah; Ali Salem Al
Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA); Abdul Rahman Mohammed
Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Municipality and Planning Department In
Ajman; Dr. Rashid Khamis Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Khorfakkan Municipal
Council; Dr. Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Bani Rashid, Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled; Ahmed Salem Al Mazloum, Executive
Director of Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped; Haider Taleb Arba`,
Secretary-General of the World Disability Union; and representatives of
honourees, and various media representatives.
During the ceremony, the launch of the new initiative "The Certificate of
the WDU of Initiatives" was announced, which the WDU decided to adopt in
appreciation of the efforts of individuals who make impressive achievements and
initiatives that serve people with disabilities.
In his speech during the ceremony, Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadim expressed his
deep appreciation and pride in all the achievements and efforts of the
honourees, and their vital role in empowering people with disabilities and
creating supportive and qualified environments to activate their contributions
to life, and bring about cultural shifts to add to the achievements of the UAE
in the advancement of man.
He stressed that all these achievements crowned the early tireless efforts made
by the UAE wise leadership towards the issues, affairs and rights of people
with disabilities. He proudly appreciated the lofty directives and diligent
follow-up of the first advocate for the disabled, His Highness Sheikh Dr.
Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah who
directed all capabilities and resources towards caring for people with
disabilities and preparing them properly to contribute to building the Emirati
society.
He called for the modernisation and development of services in accordance with
the standards of distinguished services for persons with disabilities that are
internationally approved.
He stressed that the evaluation committee of the World Disability Union
continued its work despite the global COVID pandemic during the past period,
and communicated by all available means "such as field visits and visual
communication" with the authorities listed within its regional scope
inside and outside the country to achieve the most accurate results.
Dr. Tariq bin Khadim explained that promoting the culture of environments
friendly to people with disabilities is a civilised manifestation adopted by
the UAE government, and is manifested through all its plans and projects.
He indicated that everyone abides by the service standards that fall under the
umbrella of the World Disability Union, which in turn constitutes a major
reference for specifications with the highest standards in the world.
He emphasised that these credits are added to the achievements of the records
of the participating parties, which took the initiative to support and empower
people with disabilities.
Concluding his speech, Bin Khadim thanked the Evaluation Committee for its
efforts and its pivotal role in following up, conforming to international
standards and evaluating the levels of local and international participating
agencies.
The honouring included 15 institutions, namely, the Sharjah Airport Authority,
the Holy Quran Academy, the World Trade Centre in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah
Government Media Bureau for the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, the Investment and
Development Authority Shurooq for the Flag Island, the Sharjah Museums
Authority for the Sharjah Heritage Museum and Sharjah Aquarium, and the Implementation
Authority for the Suhub Rest House in Khorfakkan, the Khorfakkan Dentistry
Specialised Centre, the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman for Al
Safa Park and Al Alam Park, the Khorfakkan Expo Centre, That Act Hotel Sharjah,
the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Marine Transportation, Edo State
Sports Stadium in Nigeria, and Gulf Bank Port Sudan in Sudan, and the Community
Rehabilitation Centre, Irbid, Jordan. In addition to honouring volunteers and
media organisations that support the activities of the World Disability Union.
We are pleased with this new achievement, which builds on the Emirate of
Sharjah's previous successes in providing an incubator environment for people
with mobility disabilities and leveraging their capabilities, in accordance
with the directives and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed
Al Qasim," Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said
on the occasion of recognising Sharjah International Airport as a disability-friendly
airport.
Engineer Salah bin Butti Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Initiatives Implementation
Authority "Mubadara," expressed his deepest gratitude and
appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme
Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for His Highness’s keen interest in
ensuring a decent life for the disabled by enacting laws that protect their
rights in society, and by directing that all service and entertainment
establishments be equipped in a manner that is appropriate with disabled
people's health condition.
Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabah Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Sharjah Holy Qur'an
Academy, expressed his heartfelt appreciation and delight at the academy's
receipt of the golden certificate for places qualified for people with
disabilities, as well as its commitment to implementing environmental standards
for people with disabilities as a friendly establishment for people with
developmental disabilities.
Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development
Authority (Shurooq), commented on the Flag Island’s obtaining the golden
certificate for places eligible for people with disabilities from the WDU,
saying: "Earning the golden certificate being among the places
eligible for people with disabilities from the WDU demonstrates our commitment
to enhance Sharjah's position as a city that is accessible to individuals
with disabilities on national and international levels."
Following in the footsteps and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin
Mohamed Al Qasim, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of the Sharjah Government
Media Bureau (SGMB), emphasised the office's commitment to promoting and
facilitating the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in the
various events and activities.
The inclusion of the Sharjah Heritage Museum and the Sharjah Aquarium as
friendly destinations for people with disabilities on the WDU's website,
according to Manal Ataya, Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority, is
the outcome of the authority's great efforts to make its museums accessible to
all members of society, including people with various disabilities.
Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of Ajman's Municipality and
Planning Department, stated that the department always pays attention to people
of determination, believes in their creativity and capabilities, and seeks to
empower them and help them take their first steps on the path of life with
strength and determination.
The WDU was established in 2011 as a global umbrella organisation with 150
affiliates in 88 countries. It is unique in that it is the only organisation
that bequeaths international certification on environmentally responsible
governmental and non - governmental institutions and agencies serving disabled persons.
Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped serves as the Union's headquarters. The
Sharjah-based club was the first in the UAE to focus on the cultural, social,
therapeutic, and physical characteristics of people with disabilities, having
officially opened in 1987.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member
and Ruler of Sharjah, has led the Emirate of Sharjah in taking purposeful
initiatives to help individuals with disabilities achieve equality and to make
their lives more comfortable.
Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services was the first of several
disabled-serving organisations, and has served as a launchpad for numerous
initiatives since the 1970s. As a result of these efforts, the emirate has
received international recognition, including a certificate from the WDU
stating that "Sharjah is a friendly city for persons with mobility
disabilities."