Dubai hosts Inclusive Development Forum 2015 tomorrow

Dubai 10th October 2015 (WAM): Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities the "Dubai Inclusive Development Forum 2015" organized by the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai starts tomorrow to present the international experiences and discuss the challenges and alternatives that contribute to turning Dubai into a disability-friendly city by the year 2020.

The forum falls under the "My Community... A City For Everyone" initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. It aims to spread and exchange knowledge in the various fields related to the rights of persons with disabilities and to discuss the methods that support their full inclusion in society. International experts academics practitioners in addition to local specialists will participate in this forum to be held for the first time in Dubai.

The agenda of the first day of the forum includes the presentation of several working papers to discuss and raise outstanding issues related to persons with disabilities. Ms. Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo Global Disability Advisor at the World Bank Group will be at the forefront of the keynote speakers and will talk about the importance of inclusive planning and policy development in translating the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to national development plans.

Mr. Victor Calise Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities will present the experience of New York and the means of achieving inclusive development in a major global city. He will discuss the methods that allow Dubai to achieve inclusion and facilitate the lives of the persons with disabilities in the various areas that empower them socially and economically.

Dr. Ivor Ambrose Managing Director of the European Network for Accessible Tourism will talk about the necessary methods for the integration of persons with disability in the tourism sector.

The agenda of Day 1 will also include specialized dialogue sessions on developmental screening and early intervention inclusive urban development inclusive employment and entrepreneurship inclusive education and learning inclusive hospitality and tourism and social protection.

Day 2 of the Forum includes the speech of Ms. Aisha Miran Assistant Secretary General Strategy Management and Governance Sector at the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai who will present the "My Community... A City for Everyone" initiative: Dubai's journey towards a disability-friendly city by the year 2020 and will shed light on the outlines of the Dubai strategy for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Dr. Peyvand Khaleghian Managing Partner Avicenna Partners will talk about the innovations in the field of inclusive development for persons with complex medical needs.

Day 2 of the Forum will also include specialized workshops with government task forces which are formed to develop plans and programs that achieve Dubai's future vision in the inclusion of persons with disabilities and the provision of equal opportunities. All these efforts are in line with the leadership's mindset. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice-President Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai stated during the launch of Dubai Plan 2021 that the people's happiness and well-being are the ultimate objectives to be achieved.

The UAE as a signatory of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities since 2008 focuses on the efforts made to preserve the right to equality and maintenance of social cohesion.

About "My Community... A City for Everyone" Initiative HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council issued Law No. (3) of 2014 on the establishment of a "Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Emirate of Dubai." The law aims to implement the clauses outlined and to supervise the implementation of the action plan and initiatives to protect persons with disabilities. The decision follows the "My Community... A City for Everyone" initiative launched by His Highness in November 2013.

"My Community... A City for Everyone" is an initiative aimed at transforming Dubai into a disability-friendly city by the year 2020 through supporting and strengthening the emirate's efforts to empower persons with disabilities. It also aims to maximize the participation and integration of this important group and integral part of the fabric of society and to overcome all the obstacles persons with disabilities face which may stand in the way of them positively engaging and integrating in their social environment as productive and creative individuals.

The vision of "My Community... A City for Everyone" is to transform Dubai into a disability-friendly city by the year 2020 by launching a set of laws legislative frameworks and initiatives. These will contribute to the enhancement of an infrastructure that provides access to all facilities and enables them to benefit from all services in Dubai. It will also ensure the provision of quality healthcare to persons with disabilities as well as supportive social services and create a broad societal awareness that contributes to the integration of persons with disabilities and their participation in the development of the community.