MORE THAN 3172 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BENEFITED FROM CITY SERVICES IN JUST ONE YEAR
H.E Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), has said that “3172” people with disabilities benefited from the city’s services during the 2021-2022 academic year. The number of employees working in SCHS has reached “650” employees, “67” of whom are people with disabilities. They make up 10 % of the total number of employees.
This came during the annual welcoming meeting for the city’s employees organized by the city at the beginning of the new academic year. Ms. Mona, on behalf of Her Excellency Sheikha Jamila bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of the city, welcomed all the city’s employees, wishing them and all students and parents a successful academic year.
Regarding the objectives of the meeting, Ms. Mona has confirmed that the senior management is very keen to communicate with SCHS employees and maintain an atmosphere of respect and professionalism with them. She reassured that she would continuously supervise their work and achievements in educating and training students with disabilities.
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS
During the meeting, Al Yafei talked about city's strategic plan "2022-2032" and the importance of having a road map that helps set priorities, modify directions, and achieve city's vision and mission in a clear and agreed manner. This contributes to delivering the message in a clearer manner and facilitating decision-making.
She said, "In the new strategic plan, SCHS is steadfast on its vision, mission and values under which it operates. The city is keen that its employees put this vision, mission and values in mind in all their tasks”.
A SUSTAINABLE CITY AND CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES FOR PWD
She added, “The city attaches great importance to the sustainability and development of the services it provides, keeping pace with the best and latest developments in this field, and educating the community. In this way, it works to develop and consolidate cooperation relations on local, regional and global levels”.
In this context, SCHS has signed during the last academic year a set of agreements with the French Center of the International Institute of Theater of "UNESCO", the Sharjah Sports Council, the e-marketing platform Yamou, Dubai Islamic Bank and the American University in the Emirates.
CARING FOR THE STAFF IS ONE OF THE CITY'S PRIORITIES
The city also attaches remarkable importance to its staff. The city is working to develop their capabilities and skills through training and technical programs. The city organizes conferences, forums and seminars that contribute to sharing experiences and access to the latest developments to benefit from them in providing the best and finest services for persons with disabilities.
SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND FORUMS
For example, last year, the city organized the international scientific conference “Quality of Life for Persons with Severe and Multiple Disabilities” as well as the virtual forum on the Quality of Inclusive Education. It also organized the forum for services provided to persons with disabilities at the level of government and private institutions in the city of Kallba.
In the same context, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services organized a symposium on mental health for workers in the educational and rehabilitation field, a symposium on “social innovation and improving the quality of services provided to people with disabilities”. Moreover, the city organized the first media meeting for students of Masarat Center for Development and Empowerment after completing the certificate of the foundation program “Accredited Self-Development Program” Pearson International Foundation. About 152 of the center's students obtained "Continuing Education" certificates.
GLOBAL ACCREDITATIONS
In 2020, the city had previously obtained international accreditation for teaching Pearson Foundation programs from the United Kingdom. Thus, the city is the first institution concerned with persons with disabilities in the region to obtain this accreditation.
The city attaches great importance to globalism through careful strategic planning. The city achieved optimal results, by keeping pace with the latest developments in the field, according to international best practices. The city has previously also received the accreditation of the CARF International Corporation. The city obtained the ISO certificate for the quality management system during the year 2022.
Al Yafei pointed to the excellence and success achieved by SCHS by organizing, for the first time in the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah Qualifying Championship for the Asian Paralympic Games Hangzhou 2022. Through which the city established its ability to organize and host global events according to the best and latest practices.
A NEW BUILDING FOR THE KHORFAKHAN BRANCH OF THE CITY
She also referred to the achievement represented by the new building project for the city branch in Khorfakhan within the distinguished development projects. The new building has international specifications not only related to the architectural environment, but also to the quality of services provided to persons with disabilities and their parents.
MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM, SOUQ AL WARRAQEEN, AND MANY OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Al-Yafei talked about the success and sustainability of the Music Therapy Program organized by the city since 2013 in cooperation with the Korean University of Iowa, the sustainability of Souq Al Warraqeen, which the city organizes in the first Saturday of every month, the sustainability of the city's campaign for Zakat, the survey and early screening program and its importance. In addition, she talked about the city's interest in the health of its employees. The city provided them during the past academic year a free test for Covid 19. Finally, the city spares no effort in urging employees to exercise and adhere to a healthy lifestyle etc.