Does your university as a body have reasonable accommodation policy/strategy implemented, including adequately funded mechanism for persons with disabilities?
Residence Halls [1]
AAU provides students with appropriate dormitories that have all means of comfort and stability necessary to create a healthy atmosphere for studying. The tasks of the Dorms Unit include receiving new students, providing them with relevant advice and instructions, informing them of the dorms’ rules and regulations, their responsibilities, assisting students in resolving the problems they face, and following up special cases that require health care.
1. There are two dormitories; one for the female students, the other for the male students.
2. The dormitories can hold up to fifty students.
3. There are single, double, and triple rooms as well as rooms for six students.
4. The fees are nominal.
5. All security and housekeeping services are provided 24/7. 6. The dormitories are supervised by specialized staff.
Rights of disabled people in the country
Protecting the rights of people of determination (persons with disabilities) [2]
The UAE guarantees equality to people of determination (people with disabilities or those with special needs) through its legislations, as well as economic and social development programmes and policies.
Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 Concerning the Rights of People with Special Needs protects the rights of people of determination and guarantees them the right to live with dignity. According to the law, a person's special needs shall not be a reason to deprive him/her of their rights and services especially in welfare as well as social, economic, health, educational, professional, cultural and leisure services. The UAE has made big efforts to include people of determination in the mainstream educational settings. Read more on inclusive education for people of determination.
The UAE provides for equal and fair employment opportunities to Emiratis of determination. UAE nationals with special needs have the right to work and occupy public positions. People of determination are entitled to receive monthly assistance subject to terms as per the existing laws.
Resolution No. 43 of 2018 in support of the people of determination aims to support the rights of people of determination (people with special needs or disabilities) in the field of employment by enabling access to opportunities in the labour market.
The resolution requires government entities to protect the rights of people of determination and to ensure their right to work on an equal basis with others and not to be discriminated against.
The resolution stressed the need to provide working and health conditions for people of determination and not to terminate their services or refer them to retirement due to disability or its occurrence after appointment, unless retirement age is reached or a competent medical committee decision states they are not fit to work.
Further, it stipulates that the private sector should be encouraged to integrate people of determination into their institutions and grant them exemptions and privileges.
In 2017, the UAE Government launched a national policy for empowering people of determination. The policy aims to create an inclusive society for them and their families, through services and facilities that accommodate their needs.
In 2018, the UAE launched the first ‘Emirati sign language dictionary’, which seeks to develop and standardise the signs used by people of determination with hearing impairments across the UAE. The online dictionary is in line with Vision 2021 and National Agenda which aim to maintain a cohesive society and promote an inclusive environment that integrates all segments of society.
The UAE's People of Determination Protection from Abuse Policy condemns all forms of abuse and neglect of people of determination. Abuse and neglect involves depriving people of determination of their basic right to care, rehabilitation, medical care, recreation or community integration. It also condemns using such people to get material profits and not spend on them.
The UAE is a party to major international human rights treaties concerning people with special needs. This includes:
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) (2010) (PDF)
UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol (OP-CRPD) (2008)
Education for people of determination in UAE [3]
https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/education-for-people-with-special-needs
Provisions for people of determination
The term special education describes the programmes and services designed for people of determination (people with special needs) in order to ensure that all students can reach their full potential.
The term 'special educational needs' is used to describe the educational needs of any one with a disability, disorder, difficulty, impairment, exceptionality or any other factor that may affect a student's access to learning and educational performance.
The government of the UAE strongly supports education and learning services for people of determination. In November 2006, the UAE signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol.
Federal Law No. 29 of 2006, is the first law in the UAE to protect the rights of people of determination. Article 12 of the law provides: the country guarantees people with special needs equal opportunities in education within all educational, vocational training, adult education and continuing education institutions in regular classes or special classes with the availability of curriculum in sign language or Braille and or any other methods as appropriate.
Ministry of Education's (MoE) strategy is to adapt public schools to facilitate education for people of determination. Accordingly, people of determination are entitled to enrol in any school, without exception. These students are catered for by Department of Special Education, which was established in 2008 by MoE. This Department promotes the rights of people of determination and ensures that they have access to the same educational opportunities as students in the regular education system.
Education is of the pillars of the 'National Policy for Empowering People of Determination'. The government will provide an integrative education system in public and vocational education and adapt school curricula to cater their needs. It will also provide qualified teachers and specialists, appropriate supportive technologies and learning materials.
Inclusive education for people of determination
The UAE has made tangible efforts to include people of determination in mainstream education. These efforts are reflected in the Ministerial Resolution No. 647 for the year 2020 on the policy of inclusive education (PDF in Arabic, 500 KB), which directs government schools to adapt themselves to cater to the needs of people of determination and provide them with the best education services.
Additionally, the ministry established the People of Determination Department (formerly known as the Special Education Department), in 2008 to protect the rights of students of determination and provide them with equal opportunities as other students. The ministry also provides all supporting services (mentioned below) to students of determination for free in government schools.
The ministry provides specialised teachers with high behavioural skills that enable them to care for people of determination. It also launched several skill training programmes that include clear instructions on dealing with people with visual and hearing impairment. It launched programmes for teachers to identify talents, understand sign language for those with hearing difficulties, and know how to properly deal with language disorders experienced by children.
The ministry has established support centres across the UAE to follow up on the progress of students of determination before and after inclusion within schools. These centres provide different services such as diagnosis of students with disabilities and learning difficulties, providing recommendations, assisting parents in dealing with their child's condition, and advising support services suitable for their children.
Services and facilities for students of determination
The schools are required to provide the following facilities for students of determination:
- wheelchair ramps and elevators, toilets, buses, cars and parking spaces prepared for students with physical disabilities
- special education resource rooms and sensory and comprehensive rooms
- specialised human cadres such as: special education teacher, teacher assistant, escort, sign language interpreter, Braille education specialist, visual impairment specialist, psychologist, speech and language specialist, special education specialist
- assessment and diagnosis of students of determination by a multidisciplinary team
- support services and individual and group treatment and rehabilitation sessions, according to their needs such as speech and language sessions, Braille education sessions, behaviour modification sessions, sign language sessions
- counselling, awareness and guidance sessions for parents of students of determination
- devices and assistive technologies according to their special needs
- workshops and courses for administration staff, teachers, guides, specialists and parents of students.
Note that workshops are conducted for students of both, public and private schools.
AAU and MOI Centers discuss the rehabilitation of people with Disabilities [4]
The College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences at Al Ain University, organized a lecture on the "Efforts of Ministry of Interior's (MOI) Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Special Needs", in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior's Centers for Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities. The lecture was presented by Mrs. Samia Abdo, Social Specialist, and it was held at Al Ain campus in the presence of Prof. Majed Al Jallad, Dean of the College of Education, Faculty staff, People with Disabilities and AAU students.
The lecturer dealt with the definition of the services provided and the practices applied in the Ministry of Interior departments to rehabilitate, train and employ those who are interested in the labor market, provide job opportunities for them and integrate them into the society. The centers' departments also play an active role in integrating the People with Disabilities in the community, by providing several training courses, rehabilitation initiatives and job opportunities.
This lecture came within the AAU’s framework to contribute in community awareness related to People with Disabilities, and enable them to educate, rehabilitation and employment, and integrate them into the society.
At the end, Prof. Al Jallad presented a certificate of appreciation to Mrs. Samia in honor of her attendance and her efforts.
Cooperation Agreement between AAU and Zayed Higher Organization [5]
https://www.aau.ac.ae/en/news/2012/cooperation-agreement-between-aau-and-zayed-higher-organization
The College of Education at Al Ain University signed a cooperation agreement with Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs. The agreement aims at activating cooperation and the exchange of consultation and educational services as part of the efforts the College of Education and AAU make to harness all potentials to assist Zayed Higher Organization to reach the largest number of persons with disabilities.
The agreement was signed during the meeting between delegations from the College of Education and Zayed Higher Organization at AAU campus in Al Ain. Dr. Nader El-Sanhury, Dean of the College of Eduaction, signed the agreement on behalf of AAU while Ms. Arwa Ahmed Saleh, Head of the Early Intervention Unit and Integration Coordinator, signed it on behalf of Zayed Higher Organization.
Dr. Nader El-Sanhury stated “the agreement stipulates coordinating cooperation to enable student teachers to deal with persons with disabilities in terms of learning difficulties, communication, integration, classroom environment conditioning, as well as the basics of learning applications for students with disabilities.”
On her part, Ms. Arwa Saleh lauded the prominent role AAU plays. She added that this visit represents a good initiative on AAU’s side in the pursuit to lend a helping hand to student teachers and build bridges of cooperation with public and private organizations alike as well as educational institutions in the UAE. This comes in line with Zayed Higher Organization’s strategic goal to improve the services provided to children with disabilities especially on the academic level.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Nader El-Sanhury thanked Zayed Higher Organization for accepting the invite reiterating AAU’s commitment to supporting persons with disabilities to the end of integrating them completely into the community.
Facilities provided for students of Determination (with special needs):
Al Ain University provides the following services and facilities for students of determination:
1. Offering grants and financial assistance up to 50% of their registered fees; as per regulations implemented by the grant Committee Humanitarian Aid.
2. Giving them the Priority in registration and assisting them in coordinating their schedules according to their conditions.
3. Organize an orientation event for students of determination to introduce them to the University’s facilities such as: restaurants, clinic, library, Department of Finance, and the recreational facilities.
4. Providing special parking for them.
5. Guiding them to their lectures.
6. Providing sign language interpreters.
7. Assigning comfortable classrooms for them such as choosing classrooms on the first floor.
8. Providing books and resources appropriate to their needs.
9. Forming special examination committees for those whose condition requires this.
10. Facilitating their participation in various events, exhibitions, and celebrations.
“Aman System” a transportation network for people of determination [6]
Students of Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi Campus, participated in Future Innovations Exhibition, organized by the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination. They showed their innovative projects that serve the people of determination and their engagement with the community, such as the “Helby” application, the “Smart Stick” that alert the blind from any barrier they face, and a swimming pool with a floating floor with special specifications that helps people with disabilities enjoy swimming without fear.
Dr. Nuha Hamada from the College of Engineering, participated in the discussion sessions by presenting her innovation “Aman System” is a safe transportation network that provides people of determination with the opportunity to request a car with specifications that suit the disability case with the possibility of adding a service to complete transactions through the smart application (AMAN). On the other hand, this network provides job opportunities for people of determination as drivers to suit disability. This innovation aims to integrate those of determination in society without restrictions.
The exhibition and discussion sessions had an active role in the exchange and development of creative ideas that aim to serve the people of determination. The innovations also received the approval and admiration of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and the participating audience.
Distance learning for people of determination at Al Ain University [7]
https://aau.ac.ae/en/videos/view/288
https://youtu.be/9tnzDmlxyOM
College of Education supports the blind people on the White Cane Day [8]
https://aau.ac.ae/en/news/2020/college-of-education-supports-the-blind-people-on-the-white-cane-day
On the occasion of the International White Cane Day, Ghayathi Center for care and rehabilitation affiliated to Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, hosted, Dr. Salwa Al Majali, Director of Special Education and Applied Psychology Programs at Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi Campus, to present a virtual lecture entitled Psychosocial support for the families of the blind people.
Student Ali Al Meri, from the College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences at Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi Campus, shared his experience of studying in Al Ain University, the facilities and services provided by the university to him and other blind students and people of determination in order to facilitate education and harness all their needs.
This lecture aimed to give psychological and moral support to the blind people and their families, as Dr. Al Majali confirmed that Al Ain University is keen to support and empower people of determination to help them with social integration, and ensure they obtain all their rights in an easy way.
Financial Aid and Scholarships[9]
https://aau.ac.ae/en/admission/undergraduate/financial-aid-and-scholarship
Academic Scholarships
The purpose of the Scholarships and Financial Aid fund is to offer financial grants to students who excel academically or in extracurricular activities.
|
Academic Grants for the General Secondary School students |
||
|
Full grant |
first five students in the country. |
** This discount applies to the first semester (only) of the student's enrolment in the university, and then the terms and conditions of scholarships for the college honour list and the university's honour list apply. |
|
40% |
Students getting 98% and above |
|
|
30% |
Students getting 94% up to 97.9% |
|
|
20% |
Students getting 90% up to 93.9% |
|
|
Scholarships for the University’s Students |
|
|
Academic excellence |
40% discount for University’s honour list of the credit hours. |
|
30% of the College’s honour list from the fees of the credit hours.
|
|
|
Brothers and Relatives |
20% discount of the credit hours fees for the brothers registered in each semester (Exception of the first one). |
|
Parents, sons and daughters, and spouses registered in each semester are treated as brothers. |
|
|
Students who lose their breadwinner |
50% of the tuition fees for students who lose their breadwinner (During their studies), and continues until the student is awarded a Bachelor Degree by AAU. |
|
The following rules govern this type of grant:
|
|
|
Children of Employees |
50% of the credit hour fees for the sons and daughters of the university’s academic and administrative staff. |
|
Exception of graduate students. |
|
|
Outstanding Students in extracurricular activities |
Scholarship for one semester with a specific percentage |
Humanitarian Assistance and “Contribution” Fund
The University also provides humanitarian assistance to students who have harsh financial conditions preventing them from completing their undergraduate studies.
|
Humanitarian Aid |
|
|
The University offers grants for one semester for students who cannot afford to pursue their studies. |
|
|
“Contribution” Fund |
|
|
The funds come from the donations and grants from bodies that wish to help students facing financial difficulties. |
|
Applying for a Humanitarian Aid Scholarship
|
General Instructions |
|
|
|
|
Rules |
|
|
|