Dubai Municipality organises first annual forum for people with disabilities

Dubai Municipality on Tuesday held the first annual forum for people with disabilities under the title, "Together, let’s make the disabled happy." The event was held at the Children’s City Theatre in Creek Park.

The forum, which promotes the slogan, "My Volition Defies My Disability," was organised in line with Dubai Municipality’s efforts to become a disabled-friendly city.

The event was also part of the initiative called "My Community Is A Place For All," and is in sync with the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, towards turning the entire Emirate of Dubai into a place friendly to people with disabilities by 2020.

"We will achieve these objectives through projects and initiatives that will maximise the participation and integration of this important segment of the community. We will also help people with disabilities overcome all obstacles that may stand in their way through a positive engagement with the social surroundings as other individuals are able to do in the society," said Khalid Mohammed Sharif, Assistant Director-General for Environment, Health and Safety Control Sector at Dubai Municipality, who delivered the opening speech at the forum.

"Dubai Municipality has felt the need to share knowledge and experiences, and to exert efforts in this aspect by holding an annual forum for presentation of best practices in the field of persons with disabilities," he said.

"Dubai Municipality has provided an opportunity for all Dubai government departments to present their best practices in this annual forum, in appreciation of their efforts in this field," Sharif added.

The event saw participation of various government departments that made a series of presentations on the most important initiatives, services and developments to help persons with disabilities besides featuring special apps, designed for people with disabilities. The departments that took part in the forum included Dubai Police, Community Development Authority and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.