People of determination hail Dubai law that gives them equal rights

Shobhika, who has a rare inherited degenerative disorder, says the people of determination shouldn't be made to feel any different.

Dubai - It also supports those who wish to establish their own business.

The people of determination fraternity in Dubai is ecstatic about the new decrees announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday for supporting them.
The decree urged organisations to grant exemptions and privileges wherever necessary for the people of determination, and also to provide equal opportunities for employment to them. It also supports those who wish to establish their own business.
Shobhika, a 27-year-old, who has a rare inherited degenerative disorder, said: "It is an extremely empowering law being enforced, thanks to our ruler. People with disabilities are a part of the same society and they anyway deal with a lot on a day to day basis, they shouldn't be made to feel any different. This law will ensure everyone gets equal rights." She is running a Community Development Authority-approved organisation, Wings of Angelz, which she founded to raise awareness about wheelchair accessibility.
Bilal Hafeez,34, who has cerebral palsy and works as a graphic designer, said: "This decree of giving equal opportunities for employment for people with disabilities is excellent decision as it will help many determined ones get out of their shell of being insecure and being uncomfortable.
 "It will open the doors for educated people with disabilities to find jobs in the UAE. I would say this is a superb decision from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, which will allow us with disabilities to show the world that we may not look OK, but give us a chance to prove ourselves."
As per the decree, people of determination should not be terminated or forced to retire, especially if they sustained the disability after they were hired. They should retire when they are of the age or when they are deemed as unfit for work by a medical committee. The private sector was also urged to integrate such persons into their establishments and provide the proper environment to enable them to work.
Lauding the decision, Safia Bari, founder and director of Special Needs Future Development Centre in Mankhool that mainly focuses on empowering young adults with special needs, said: "It is indeed a very good initiative that has been taken. One thing that should be taken care of is that if the company is appointing a person with determination, the environment should be given some guidelines on being with the people of determination and this decree takes care of this important condition.
"I would add that employees of all companies should be given a brief training on how to adapt to be with people with determination and I am sure after this decree all private and government organisations will take up this issue seriously."
Calling the move encouraging, Amit Kakkar, a Dubai-based media specialist training a few people of determination to become special correspondents, said: "The decree has brought lot of hope in the lives of people of determination and their families. It will fill them with a whole new energy to explore new horizons, get good placements and establish themselves in the mainstream successfully.  Secondly, it will now be imperative for the companies in UAE to look after these people and help them grow more at work places without any discrimination. We all now must contribute to Sheikh Mohammed's vision by empowering those who are challenged in life by sharing our knowledge, expertise and experience and must train to prepare at least one person of determination in our life time."
The decree states that hiring practices should be transparent and conducted with utmost care to ensure that biased perceptions of such persons' abilities does not affect the outcome of the interview.

KT NANO EDIT