Dubai: The Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai revealed its intention to unify the services provided to people of determination by governmental and semi-governmental entities through the DubaiNow application, as part of the ‘People of Determination Services Package’ initiative, which is scheduled to be launched soon.
Meanwhile, people of determination and their families confirmed that family encouragement contributes to developing talents, enhancing self-confidence, and opening new horizons for achievement.
Dr. Sheikha Al Mansouri, Acting Director of the People of Determination Department at the CDA, explained that the Authority showcased the talents of 17 people of determination through the ‘POD Got Talent’ platform, as part of its participation in the eighth edition of the International People of Determination Expo, in fields that included playing the piano, singing, drawing, handicrafts and installation works.
She confirmed that investing in the talent of people of determination is an essential part of rehabilitation and empowerment, and enhances their self-confidence, independence and social integration, stressing the importance of encouraging governmental and private entities to support talented people, and open future paths for them, in addition to the role of the family in discovering and developing the talents of their children.
She explained that the initiative includes a smart guide to guidance and awareness services, and an electronic link between the concerned authorities, to facilitate the completion of transactions and obtaining documents through an integrated and unified file, noting that the Sanad card will be the main tool to benefit from services proactively according to the type of disability and the needs of its holder.
She added that the card can be accessed by various nationalities residing in Dubai, all ages and types of disabilities, citizens holding Dubai IDs residing in other emirates, and holders of other emirates’ IDs residing in Dubai, in addition to the tourist Sanad card designated for visitors.
She noted that the Authority began this year a strategic project to create an integrated database for people of determination in Dubai, including demographic, health, social, functional and cultural aspects, to identify their needs and provide them with appropriate services, stressing that the exhibition witnessed a review of the project and its components, and not its official launch.
She pointed out that a unified medical report was launched last April, which is consistent with the national classification of disability, and was circulated by the Dubai Health Authority to about 4,000 health facilities, to unify diagnosis and classification and avoid duplication of data, in cooperation with strategic partners, including the Dubai Health Authority, Digital Dubai, and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, with future expansion to include other entities.
Talent on display
For their part, participants with disabilities and their families confirmed that family encouragement and continuous follow-up contributed to developing their talents and enhancing their self-confidence, praising the opportunity given to them to showcase their abilities in front of the public and achieve their ambitions.
Maitha Yousef (18 years old), who has a hearing disability, said that she started drawing at the age of five with the encouragement of her family, who provided her with pictures to imitate and practice on, which contributed to the development of her artistic skills. She also learned handicrafts at the Dubai Club for People of Determination since the age of four, in addition to practicing badminton and basketball.
She added that she aspires to study digital media design at the University of Sharjah, in preparation for working in media and television, noting her interest in painting pictures that reflect local heritage and identity.
Umm Ghaith said that her son Ghaith Al-Balushi (nine years old), who has autism, has a passion for marine animals that prompted her to invest his interest in fish in enhancing his communication skills, and encouraging him to interact with society and express himself.
She explained that she noticed his distinctive way of arranging the fish tank and choosing its colours to match its design, so she encouraged him to get involved in a project related to pet fish, stressing that the Authority’s support and the opportunity to showcase his talent to the public contributed to developing his sense of responsibility and promoting kindness to animals.
Ghaith said he takes care of about 20 fish of various colors in his home, and makes sure to feed them in the morning according to specific times, and dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in the future.
Carnegie Hall performer
As for Zayed Al Zaabi (13 years old), a pianist with autism, he said that he aspires to represent the UAE in international forums and to become one of the most prominent pianists, stressing that playing gives him happiness and comfort, and that his parents represent the greatest source of support and encouragement in his career.
His mother, Umm Zayed, said that his talent began to emerge in 2022, after the family bought him a small piano to help him develop fine motor skills, as a means of supporting occupational therapy, but she did not expect that this interest would turn into a musical talent that would lead him to participate in international events.
She added that his participation began in the same year with Mubadala, then the Cultural Foundation and the Orchestra, in addition to national and community events and Dubai Opera, as well as receiving advanced lessons in playing in Vienna, Belgium and Italy.
She noted that he won first place in a piano competition at the GCC level last year, organised by the House of Piano in Abu Dhabi.
She revealed that the family is preparing for him to participate in a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York on November 24, to perform with the Manhattan Orchestra as part of the ‘My Talent’ programme, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.
She confirmed that his empowerment journey began with occupational therapy and speech therapy since the age of two, before his condition was diagnosed at the age of three, in addition to her keenness to attend specialised courses to develop methods of supporting him, noting that he is currently studying in the seventh grade, enjoys a distinguished academic level, speaks Chinese and some French, and that therapy and educational integration have contributed to developing his abilities, while continuing to work on enhancing his communication skills.