PHOTO
As the UAE is making major efforts to empower people of determination, authorities stress on the role of community members to achieve the sought-after inclusive society.
In a statement to Khaleej Times, Wafa Hamad bin Sulaiman, director of rehabilitation and care department of people of determination at the Ministry of Community Development, said most of the time people of determination are not limited by their disability.
"They are more limited by the negative attitudes and barriers around them that hinder their independence and participation in society," said Bin Sulaiman.
She added that people of determination around the world continue to face various forms of discrimination and mistreatment despite the improved services dedicated to them over the past few decades.
"A disability prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. The role of every one of us is to recognise these disabilities and support them into becoming active participants in the society," said Bin Sulaiman.
People's support can be through "learning how to treat them the right way - which will improve their confidence - and create an inclusive society."
Bin Sulaiman urged residents to learn about the different disabilities that require specific type of treatment. She said continuous social awareness has to be introduced in schools, workforce and centres to educate community members, who often find themselves stuck when dealing with the differently-abled.
"Each disability has its own physical and emotional qualities. Although there must be specific grounds for dealing with each type of disability individually, there are general principles that we can follow when dealing with different disabilities," said Bin Sulaiman.
She highlighted the role that different activist groups and disability rights organisation had in formulating special education and rehabilitation policies in different countries.
"The people who formed such groups to defend the rights of the disabled in different walks of life like education and employment were mostly friends, relatives, families or even the disabled themselves," added Bin Sulaiman.
She said while some groups were concerned about legal issues that did not support people of determination, others worked on educating the community and empowering them with the right skills they can use to accept and integrate people of determination.
The UAE has come a long way in establishing the right legal system that empowers and protects people of determination, but a big role goes back to the community, which must integrate the challenged in their surroundings.
The ministry launched three strategic objectives to implement the UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 43 of 2018 in August, which ensures people of determination equal access to the labour market in various sectors.
By law, government and private bodies are obligated to recognise the rights of people of determination in the workplace and offer them the support they need.
Last year, Dubai launched 'National Policy for Empowering People with Disabilities' to ensure decisions made across the government entities and prioritise the needs and rights of the disabled.
The policy covers six pillars of education, health and rehabilitation, employment, mobility, social protection and family empowerment as well as social, sport and public life.
By 2020, Dubai is set to be fully disability-friendly from access to employment opportunities. Authorities are working to make public buildings and city facilities friendly for people of determination through following a disabled-friendly code.
The UAE also has a Disability Act, which became federal law in 2006 and protects the rights of people with disabilities. They are also signees of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
12 ways to make them feel at home
> Speak in your natural voice when greeting guests of determination in. Don't raise your voice unnecessarily
> Refer your guests to the right guest room that's easily accessed. If you don't have a guest room easily accessed, provide alternatives immediately even if it's your private room or office
> Shake hands with guests of determination, even if they have a prosthetic hand. You can use shake with your left hand
> With those who cannot shake hands, lightly touch their shoulder or arm to welcome them
> Avoid patting the head or shoulder of those using a wheelchair
> When talking to someone on a wheelchair, do not tilt towards them as the chair is considered part of their private space
> Maintain eye contact when you address someone with disability
> When offering assistance, be prepared to be rejected
> Do not insist on offering help. If assistance is accepted, listen carefully and do what's requested
> Allow the person with visual impairment to hold your arm (at or near the elbow). This gives them a sense of guidance rather than being accompanied or led.
> Respectfully ask if you can help to carry their stuff
> Do not touch a disabled person's crutches unless you are asked to
Know the etiquettes of dealing with different categories of people with disabilities
1. How to deal with hearing impaired individuals
> If they have a hearing impairment in one ear, you should sit closer to the right ear so they can hear you
> If they're fully impaired, using visual communication through lip reading or sign language is best
> Speak out (not loud) in medium speed. Don't exaggerate lip movement as it may confuse those who learned lip reading
> Re-formulate the idea or question to make it easier
> Use visual aids like sheets or blackboard as much as you can
> Get their feedback to ensure they understand you
> Maintain an eye contact with the challenged person even if an interpreter is around
> Do not raise your voice to get their attention. High sound disrupts audio aids that work only efficiently with normal sound tones
> Be patient when you speak or repeat words
> Be considerate to their reactions in different situations. Pressure from people around them can bring reversed results
> Urge them to participate in conversations and discussions
> Make sure they understand what a conversation is about when they're in a group.
2. How to deal with the physically challenged individuals
> To avoid embarrassment, do not provide assistance unless they ask for it.
> Make sure you speak to the physically impaired face to face. Don't be behind them when you talk
> Do what the physically impaired asks for, especially if you met them for the first time
> Don't surround someone with disability as they get in or out of a car. If they ask for help, place your hand under their arm then lift them inside the car.
> Don't provide assistance when a wheelchair is going through a narrow pathway. It may lead to injuries.
> Plan well and let the physically challenged be aware of every step you're taking when you're together.
> The most valuable items for people with physical disabilities in their wheelchair or supporting devices. Keep them away from glass, pins, water or iron nails.
3. How to deal with visually impaired individuals
> Don't speak in a loud voice
> Look at the visually challenged when addressing them. They can tell if you're not looking at them through the direction of your voice
> Call their name when you want to address them to make it clear that your speech is directed to them
> Let them know when you enter or leave a room
> Avoid saying 'there' when referring to an object. Instead, say, "It's three feet down your right."
> Avoid saying 'take' when you give them something since they cannot see the direction of your hands. Instead, make sounds with the object or pull the object close until it touches their hand so they can grab it
> When you offer food, tell them what it is. Mention where the other utensils on the table are, using the clock-face method. For example, "The cup is at 6 o'clock, dish is at 3 o'clock, and so on..."
> When leading them to the car, take their hand to the car door and let them open it themselves
> Don't leave house doors half open, since they could hurt people without sight. Doors should either be closed or open
> When crossing the road, it is good to ask if they need help without holding their arm. If they need help, let them hold your arm, while you move forward and alert them of any obstacles on the way
> If accompanied by a dog, avoid playing with the pet since the person's safety depends entirely on the dog
> Don't avoid using the word 'see' with its other synonyms, because the visually challenged uses it like anyone else
4. How to deal with the mentally challenged
> Get their attention and encourage them through focusing on their strengths
> Gradually move from teaching them simple to more complex skills
> Allow people with mental disabilities to mimic others. Teach them through mimicking
> Focus on successful attempts, ignore the weak capabilities
> Teach them self-independence and encourage their personal skills
> Follow behavior reinforcement strategies, instead of punishment
> Focus on trial and repeat. Be consistent with what you want to teach them
> Emotionally interact and sympathize, but without pity
> Develop their sense of confidence. Make them know you believe in their abilities
(Source: Ministry of Community Development)
Copyright © 2018 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
