Jameela bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, “The history of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services
Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), has confirmed that the 42-year history of SCHS represents the history of special education in the United Arab Emirates and its achievements. This is due to the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. However, this achievement is not only SCHS's, but it is a national heritage and asset for all.
This happened in the virtual lecture that Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi delivered on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, under the titled (Special Education in the United Arab Emirates) at the invitation of the College of Education at the American University in the Emirates. Dr. Muthanna Abdul Razzaq, President and Executive Director of the University, Dr. Muhammad Al-Zeyoudi, Dean of the College of Education at the University, Mona Abdul Karim Al-Yafie, Director of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services attended the lecture. A large number of specialists, teachers and students of special education in the country and abroad participated.
During a brief presentation on SCHS that is honored by the honorary presidency of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah since its establishment, Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela explained that SCHS’s leadership in working with persons with disabilities revolves around their inclusion, advocacy and empowerment in accordance with international best practices. It is the first Emirati institution specialized in serving PWD, inaugurated on October 20, 1979.
About 1923 people with disabilities benefited from SCHS services only in the last year
She said, “In 2020 only, (1923) people with disabilities of various nationalities benefited from SCHS’s services. About (628) employees served them, (64) of them are persons with disabilities. SCHS represents a role model in employing persons with disabilities and supporting them in achieving their economic and social independence, and urges society members to take their responsibilities towards them in all fields”.
She explained that, since its establishment four decades ago, SCHS has witnessed an expansion of its departments and centers in response to the needs of the community. For example, SCHS has established three branches in Khorfakhan, Al Dhaid and Kallba cities. During the past year, it has obtained the accreditation of the two international institutions of Carve and Pearson.
Speaking about the leadership of SCHS, she mentioned that SCHS was the first to adopt the sport of persons with disabilities by establishing and embracing Al-Thiqa Club for the Handicapped in 1987. SCHS was the first to issue a specialized monthly magazine in the same year, namely Al-Manal Magazine, which has become (electronic) since 2012. In addition to many pioneering achievements that aim to educate and integrate persons with disabilities and improve their quality of life.
American University is ready to offer scholarships for SCHS’s students with disabilities
Here, Professor Muthanna Abdul Razzaq said that he and the American University in the Emirates are proud of the cooperation with a decent and pioneering institution such as Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. He expressed readiness to receive SCHS students with disabilities who are eligible to join collage and provide scholarships for them.
A forum on special education in cooperation between the two sides
The President and CEO of the University invited Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi to join the University’s Board of Trustees, in addition to signing a memorandum of understanding between the two sides and working to organize a (forum) on special education as soon as possible.
Her Excellency the Director General of SCHS received Prof. Dr. Muthanna’s invitation with great thanks. She stressed that the cooperation between the two sides would witness further progress and reciprocal visits in order to support the independence of persons with disabilities and to enhance their education, training and integration into society.
SCHS promotes the issues and rights of persons with disabilities
During the lecture, Sheikha Jameela discussed a set of key points, including the principle of self-advocacy and the importance of training persons with disabilities to claim their rights. She also talked about the importance of inclusion, she stressed that person with disabilities natural place is within society and that education is one of the most important tool for his/her desired empowerment.
A call for proper inclusion
Her Excellency the Director General of SCHS also asked, referring to international laws that call for educational integration (Are we ready for correct integration?) Modern special education covers all ages of people with disabilities, with an individual educational plan for each person. Nevertheless, schools (in general) are not equipped to receive students with disabilities, and teachers do not have the training tools required to deal optimally with them.
Spotlight on the challenges of the profession in order to prepare well for them
She also asked, is working in special education a job or a responsibility? The responsibility of the ordinary employee ends with the end of his work. As for the worker in the field of special education, it relates to the student’s education, supporting his family, and raising community awareness. They face the risks and challenges of the profession such as anxiety, attrition, lack of resourcefulness, lack of motivation, and recently the challenge of (remote work) due to the COVID 19 pandemic. We are not mentioning these challenges with the aim of (alienating) from working in special education field, but rather with the aim of preparing well for it.
There is no doubt - as Sheikha Jameela affirms - that the existence of legislation and laws contributes to achieving better results and ensuring that persons with disabilities obtain their rights in addition to protecting those working with them. However, gaps still exist and weak implementation exists.
The ethical work charter is a top priority
During the lecture, Her Excellency spoke about the Charter of Ethical Work in Special Education to serve as a contract protecting the values of respect, communication, sharing of information and stop abuse. She also spoke about following up developments in this field because it is a changing field that requires constant follow-up of the latest global developments.
Utilizing technology to serve people with disabilities
She also focused on the issue of utilizing technology in educating, supporting and preparing students with disabilities to face shocks and deal with them for the benefit of the educational process. Here, Her Excellency stressed the importance of funding for education and that poverty negatively affects the education of persons with disabilities due to its high cost. While many families are unable to meet the costs of tuition and equipment.
The Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services discussed the issue of learning difficulties, referring to the (Sharjah Center for Learning Difficulties). SCHS established the center in 2016. It works under the supervision of SCHS seeking to provide the best services to its members, but there are many challenges that this issue face, whether in schools, universities, or within the family itself.
Here, she indicated the need to involve families from the beginning in the educational process, due to the great role that the family plays in cooperation with the center or institution.
The importance of recreation in the growth and development of individuals
Sheikha Jameela also talked about the topic of (recreation) and its importance in the growth and learning of individuals in general and persons with disabilities in particular. Noting that presenting and discussing these issues does not aim to underestimate the great achievements that the United Arab Emirates has witnessed in the field of special education, but rather represents an attempt to build continuously on the established works. Reaching a better reality for everyone.
Recommendations
In conclusion, Her Excellency the Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services made a set of recommendations. The Ethical Charter came in the forefront due to its importance in the field of special education. Moreover, developing strategies to protect people with disabilities and reporting harm, and working on training all education students on the principles of special education while providing workers with all tools that protect and help them and take care of their psychological and mental health. In addition, the commitment of universities to host specialties such as Assistive Technologies and Art Therapy, to establish a resource center to support students with disabilities in universities, and to make the profession of work in special education attractive through appropriate support and care.