February 11th, Dubai, UAE: Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) succeeds in winning the 3rd place in the category of Special Needs Transportation Category at the 2nd Edition of the Dubai Awards for Sustained Transport (DAST). EDI had nominated their Disabled Driver Training Program in this Category that commenced in April 2009. The initiative directly addressed the requirements of the special needs people by providing easy, independent mobility; enabling them to actively participate in society.
Under the auspices and in attendance of His Highness Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, presented the award to Mr. Amer Ahmed Belhasa, Managing Director of Emirates Driving Institute (EDI).
After receiving the award Mr. Amer Belhasa said, "Winning this award has provided valuable endorsement for the relevance and quality of this initiative. The introduction of the disabled driver training programme launched by EDI has added enormous value to the rehabilitation of those individuals who passed their driving tests. A driving license brings with it independence, self esteem and great opportunity to actively participate in the society in which a person lives."
The disabled driver program at Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) is in cooperation with Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Rashid Hospital's - Physical Medical and Rehabilitation (PMR) Department, Arabian Automobiles Nissan and a leading Swedish company has initiated the first Disabled Driver Training Programme in Dubai for people who are unable to drive using foot pedals.
Such Awards aim at encouraging community organizations to play an active and positive role in sustained transport, reasserting the leading role of the RTA in promoting partnerships & cooperation with various entities, and bringing sustained transport issues to the forefront of local bodies and media attention.
In its second edition, the Award comprised four categories, following the introduction of a new category vis- -vis Special Needs Transportation Requirements, Transport Management, Environment Conservation and Transport Safety Category.In the category of Special Needs Transportation Requirements the winner was Dubai Airports Co. and second came Dubai Center for Special Needs.
EDI are now keen to hear from anyone who may wish to be considered for this training and would like to know more information. For further enquiries on the Disabled Driver Programme kindly contact EDI on: Call Centre: 04 - 2631100 or email: misba@edi-uae.com / info@edi-uae.com
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About Disabled Driver Training Course:
EDI has teamed up with Swedish experts Swed Adaptations, also know as Anpassarna, who have 40 years of experience in adapting vehicles for the physically disabled. Staff of Rashid Hospital's PMR Department will take responsibility for the suitability assessments of any potential driver and make their recommendations to the RTA before training can begin. Technicians at Arabian Automobiles were trained and supervised as they adapted two EDI training cars with a hand control system provided by Swed Adaptations. The single lever, held by the right hand, operates accelerator and brake as well as a number of functions usually activated by the left hand. This leaves the left hand free for steering at all times and with the aid of a simple device added to the steering wheel full steering control is assured. A number of EDI instructors and RTA examiners are taking extensive training from qualified and experience Swedish instructor trainers who specialize in this field of work. A license will only be issued when the candidate passes all the standard driving tests required for Dubai at the same level as any able-bodied candidate.
Malik Yousaf Iqbal, 27 years old, who has a permanent disability in both legs, is the first driver to receive formal driving training from Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) and successfully pass his second road test to achieve a UAE Driving License in the LMV category.
About EDI
Our Institute is the largest and most successful Driving Institute in the Middle East and has been in operation since 1991. During that time over 170,000 driving students have passed their Police Tests with us and many have gone on to take and pass our Advanced Driving Courses. We employ over 1000 qualified Instructors at the Institute who come from the same countries as our students and who are able, therefore, to instruct students in their primary language. One Section of our Institute is solely for the use of our female students where female Instructors and Assessors provide tuition to our female clientele.
Our driving tuition standards are set at International levels and our driving tuition methods are continuously updated to make use of the latest driving techniques. Our international partners, The Institute of The Motor Industry of The UK, The International Association for Driver Education and Institute of Advanced Motorist-UK (IAM), play a major role in ensuring we are kept in touch with leading edge driving & testing tuition developments. In relation to ensuring our services are delivered effectively we place great importance on Customer Service and our Customer Service Supervisor is always ready to assist students where necessary. We are ISO accredited since 1997 and for the year 2002, won the Dubai Quality Award for Professional Services.
For Further Media Queries:
M/s. Jovita Dias
Public Relations and Communication Officer
Email: jovita@edi-uae.com
Call Centre: 04 - 2631100
Website: www.edi-uae.com
© Press Release 2010
