UAE champions inclusive education and employment for people of determination

Sharjah hosts Inclusion International's 18th World Congress - 'We Are Inclusion 2025' for the first time in UAE

- Ruqayya Al Qaydi

UAE is making significant strides in creating a fully inclusive society for people of determination, with a strong emphasis on both education and employment.

With Sharjah hosting Inclusion International's 18th World Congress - “We Are Inclusion 2025” from September 15 to 17 for the first time in the UAE, experts detailed the comprehensive legal frameworks and strategic initiatives that are paving the way for greater inclusion and empowerment.

The UAE has established a comprehensive legal and policy framework to ensure the right to education for all children, regardless of their abilities. Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 guarantees the right to education for people with disabilities in all educational institutions, while Ministerial Decision No. 647 of 2020 has further solidified the country's commitment to inclusive education in both public and private schools.

"Inclusive education is not just about placing students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms," explained Duaa Mohammed, supervisor of the Inclusive Education Unit at SCHS. "It's about transforming the entire educational system to be more responsive to the diverse needs of all learners. This includes adapting curricula, modifying the learning environment and providing the necessary support for every child to succeed."

Despite the strong legal framework, the implementation of inclusive education is not without its challenges. These include varying levels of readiness among schools, the need for specialised resources and the importance of ongoing teacher training.

To address these challenges, education authorities across the UAE have implemented a range of strategies, including: