Dubai kicks off autism awareness campaign

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

DUBAI: The 14th annual autism awareness campaign has been launched by Dubai Autism Centre under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The campaign will highlight the importance of community support to promote social inclusion and integration of individuals with autism.

“The awareness campaign is in line with the Dubai Disability Strategy 2020, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as a friendly city for people of determination. We aim to promote the inclusion of people with autism in the community and enable them to engage with their environments as capable individuals,” said Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member of Dubai Autism Center.

“The Dubai Autism Centre has continuously focused on providing autism rehabilitation services and to raise awareness on the issues of children with autism and their families. The Centre is making a real difference in the lives of people through our year-round activities,” he added.

Al-Emadi underlined the importance of community support to families of children with autism, adding that they face psychological, social and financial challenges that can be overcome through greater awareness of autism among the public.

Al Emadi thanked the partners and sponsors of the campaign including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), DP World, Union Coop, Aswaq, Publinet and Reel Cinemas.

The campaign includes several presentations across schools and public departments aimed at increasing public awareness and promoting a better understanding about the various challenges related to individuals with autism and how early intervention is important for them.

Committed to making a difference, Dubai Autism Centre, a non-profit organisation, was launched in 2001 with the objective of successfully integrating children with autism into the mainstream through focused efforts to create social awareness about Autism.