SCHS RECEIVES 1,294 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO WOULD BENEFIT
In a climate of hope and excitement, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) welcomed its students to its new buildings on Monday, August 26, 2024, marking the beginning of the new academic year. This incident signifies a change in the SCHS's trajectory. It reflects its continued dedication to broadening the range of services it offers and improving its capacity to offer comprehensive care and support to individuals with disabilities. The state-of-the-art learning and therapeutic environment that the newly constructed, standards-compliant buildings will help to provide will foster students' growth and help them reach their full potential.
This day marks a historic moment in the history of SCHS as we celebrate not only the opening of these new facilities but also the beginning of a new academic semester that carries with it a lot of hope and optimism. Her Excellency Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director General of SCHS, expressed her great happiness at the opening of the new buildings. Not only do these structures expand the SCHS's physical footprint, but they also represent our aspirational goal of offering a cutting-edge, comprehensive training and teaching environment.
She said, “This achievement is the result of the continuous efforts and unlimited support provided by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, may God protect him, and the wise and prudent leadership of Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services”.
“Based on statistical data, 1,294 beneficiaries are anticipated to receive the educational and guidance services from SCHS in the 2024–2025 academic year. The beneficiaries will be divided among the following centers and branches: Masarat Center for Development and Empowerment (152 beneficiaries), Khorfakhan Branch (155 beneficiaries), Al Dhaid Branch (71 beneficiaries), Kalba Branch (102 beneficiaries), Center for Severe Disabilities (54 beneficiaries), Sharjah Autism Center (119 beneficiaries), Al Amal Kindergarten for the Deaf (17 beneficiaries), Al Amal School for the Deaf (69 beneficiaries), Early Intervention Center (198 beneficiaries), and Al Wafa School for Capacity Development (227 beneficiaries)”, added Al Yafei.
Al Yafei emphasized that while SCHS continues to improve and expand its services to guarantee that the needs of all beneficiaries are met effectively and efficiently, these numbers show the tremendous efforts made to provide an educational and guidance environment that supports the development and empowerment of people with disabilities
Highest standards of quality and innovation
"The new facilities have been designed to meet the needs of students with the highest standards of quality and innovation, allowing them to benefit from the newest instructional and therapeutic methods and technologies," stated the SCHS Director General in explanation. We are eager to give students an educational experience that inspires them to be creative and achieve, and that helps them in reaching their personal and professional goals, therefore we are ready to welcome them into this new setting.
Al Yafei reaffirmed SCHS's unwavering dedication to giving all students equal opportunity and making sure they get the attention and assistance they need to reach their full potential. She also sincerely thanked everyone for their contributions to the successful completion of this amazing endeavor. She emphasized that SCHS will keep up its good effort to address the needs of our community and offer the finest services possible. The growth reflects SCHS's resolve to provide everything with innovation and quality, as well as its goal to continue to succeed in the future.
An outstanding accomplishment
"We are proud of this achievement that was accomplished by opening the new buildings this year according to the latest practices, with the grace of God, after years of work on this project," said Dr. Asmaa Al Darmaki, Director of the SCHS Branch in Kallba and Deputy Director General for Branch Affairs. "The event represents a great achievement in our journey towards leadership, and ensuring an integrated educational and therapeutic environment," she added.
She said, “As we work to develop skills and competences in keeping with SCHS's mission—which aims to eliminate disability and meet all requirements, whether for families, students, or society as a whole—this growth is a part of SCHS's strategy to meet the needs of beneficiaries”.
The new buildings house several state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance the abilities of enrolled students through training and educational programs fully furnished with tools and technology, as well as several specialized therapeutic programs (such as Music Therapy, Speech and Language, Physical and Occupational Therapy, and Physical and Occupational Therapy) that cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities of all ages and stages.
A welcoming and motivating learning atmosphere
Dr. Asmaa Al Darmaki added, “As we feel that creating a warm and encouraging learning environment is the cornerstone of both our success and the success of our students in reaching their objectives and advancing their skills, we are also eager to keep refining our educational and therapeutic programs in accordance with the most recent techniques and technologies. We are excited to welcome students to these new facilities and have also worked to improve the effectiveness of the specialized team. To guarantee attaining the greatest outcomes, we always work to collaborate with the beneficiary families as well as the local and international communities. This development is a significant step in offering comprehensive and integrated services, and it demonstrates our unwavering dedication to enhancing the quality of life for those with disabilities”.
"Today we celebrate a great achievement that reflects the continuous support and care provided by our emirate to this important segment of society, which contributes to achieving our lofty goals of effectively and influentially integrating people with disabilities into society," said Ms. Nada Al Midfa, Chairwoman of the Mothers Council.
She added: “We, at the Mothers Council, affirm our deep commitment to our mission to raise awareness among mothers of people with disabilities, and deepen cooperation and integration between them and SCHS. Our vision depend on embracing, advocating and empowering people with disabilities to ensure their effective participation and independence in society. We also strive to promote the concept of volunteering and community participation, believing in the role of everyone in building a strong and cohesive society. We ask God Almighty to achieve more successes in this academic year, which we hope will be full of ambition and determination.”
Therapeutic Center
Many departments, schools, and centers make up Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, which offers services to those with disabilities in accordance with the best and most up-to-date methods. One of SCHS's primary branches, the "Therapeutic Center," is one of these facilities. It was founded in 2013 and offers therapeutic and rehabilitative services to kids who are integrated into kindergartens and schools as well as to kids and teens with mental health issues.
To guarantee the highest standards of quality, the center employs a group of qualified specialists who utilize the most recent programs and techniques for diagnosis and treatment. The center accepts participants starting at age three and offers advanced training programs like AEPS, TEACCH, and PECS. To increase the range of services, the SCHS branch in Kallba opened a new branch in the beginning of 2021.
Sharjah Audiology Unit
The Sharjah Audiology Unit was founded in 1993 and became a licensed diagnostic facility in 2010 under the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The facility offers thorough hearing assessments and recommends suitable remedies, like cochlear implants and hearing aids. It accepts patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, and uses testing in accordance with global guidelines to guarantee precise diagnosis and top-notch treatment.