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· 50 young people with disabilities in 'learning to sail programme', with plans to include adults with disabilities
Dubai, UAE – Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) hosted top officials from the Community Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday (9 March) to announce the expansion of its Sailability programme, in support of the Dubai Government’s ‘Year of Giving’ campaign.
Certified by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), as a Centre of Excellence, DOSC provides sailing practise to more than 50 young people with disabilities using six Access boats, which are specially adapted to avoid capsizing, and two larger RS Venture boats that can take wheelchairs. The sailing club plans to increase the number of boats to widen the programme’s membership to adults with disabilities.
The Sailability programme expansion was announced at the club in the presence of HE Ahmad Abdul Kareem Julfar, Director General of the Community Development Authority (CDA), Huraiz Bin Huraiz, CEO of Social Care & Development, CDA, and Dr Alya Al Qassimi, Director of the Person with Disability dept, CDA.
HE Julfar praised the Sailability programme noting that UAE leaders encourage innovative initiatives that could empower vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities; improve the participation of volunteers and enhance the contribution of the private and non-profit sectors in the social developments.
“We are keen to support any programme that would increase people’s happiness and utilise volunteers’ energy. About 90 volunteers of CDA’s volunteering programme are participating in the Sailability programme, which shows the benefits that could be achieved through the collaboration between the society's stakeholders and how important is it to utilise volunteer work. We are looking for similar initiatives and successful programmes from public, private and NGOs institutes in order for them to give back to Dubai sociality”.
Every Wednesday, over three sailing sessions, some 90 volunteers teach more than 50 students, who come from a number of centres, such as the Dubai Centre for Special Needs, the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, the K12 Icademy and the Safe Centre.
DOSC’s Commodore, Douglas Hassell said; “The Dubai Offshore Sailing Club was opened in 1974 and remains the region’s premier venue for sail boats. Our members have enjoyed tremendous sailing throughout the Gulf over the past four decades and we want to continue to give back to the community, which has hosted us so generously over the years, by giving people with disabilities the chance to learn and enjoy the sport of sailing.
“We are grateful to His Excellency Mr Julfar of the Community Development Authority for his support of the Sailability programme expansion plans here today, which will be our contribution to the government’s heartfelt ‘Year of Giving’ campaign.”
ABOUT DUBAI OFFSHORE SAILING CLUB
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) opened its doors in 1974 with no more than a barasti shade on the beach and a few small sailing boats. Since then it has grown and developed to host some of the best sailing opportunities in the Gulf. Throughout its existence, this non-profit making club has been run with the intention of promoting sailing to all nationalities in Dubai and its environs.
For more information on DOSC, contact Frances Barton at pr@doscuae.com; +971 50 650 3900
© Press Release 2017
