Dubai passes new law protecting those with special needs

DUBAI // A new law aimed at protecting the rights of those with special needs has been passed in the emirate.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the law.

The regulation brings together cooperation among all concerned authorities in Dubai to provide health care services, therapeutic services, habitation and rehabilitation for people with disabilities, in addition to providing educational opportunities that are equal to those provided to their peers, the state news agency, Wam, reported.

The law stipulates providing full public services to people with special needs, including the use of roads, public transport, police and judicial services to ensure their integration within the community.

The law aims to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy all their rights, enhance their respect, preserve their dignity and protect them from all forms of discrimination or abuse , negligence or exploitation. It is effective from the date of its publication in the official Gazette.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, has issued a resolution to form a higher committee for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities.

The higher committee is to be chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed.

“We look to the category of people with special needs as an active and instrumental partner in building our society, our achievements and assuming advanced positions we aspire for together,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

The resolution aims to empower people with disabilities and maximise the participation and integration of this category into the community.

Both decrees act as a supplement to law 29 of 2006 concerning the rights of people with special needs.

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