Al-Danna embraces the first "Family pulse councils" To enhance the quality of life of people with autism

Al Dhafra, July 4, 2017 – The city of Al Dhanna in the Al Dhafra region hosted today the first sessions of the “Family Pulse Councils”, one of the executive initiatives emanating from the national campaign for autism awareness and empowering families, launched by the Emirates Autism Society under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Honorary President of the Society, under the slogan “Together for an Inclusive Society”.

The session constitutes the first stage of the national campaign at the state level, in a step aimed at strengthening the role of the family as a major partner in the system of care, rehabilitation and empowerment, expanding the circle of community awareness, and developing services provided to people with autism spectrum disorder, in a way that consolidates the values ​​of inclusion and community solidarity and enhances the quality of life.

The council was held with the participation of representatives of government, health and community agencies, and in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, the Zayed Higher Authority for People of Determination, and the Nabd Center of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, and in the presence of an elite group of specialists and families of people with autism spectrum disorder.

The “Family Pulse Councils” initiative aims to provide a national platform for direct dialogue between families and concerned parties, introduce available services, programs and initiatives, enhance integration between participating parties, exchange expertise and experiences, monitor challenges and needs, and reach practical recommendations that contribute to the development of services and policies that support the family, in a way that improves the quality of life and achieves a sustainable societal impact.

Ali bin Shumail Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Autism Society, said that the “Family Pulse Councils” embody the vision of the UAE in making the human being the center and goal of development, pointing out that the councils are not limited to presenting challenges only, but rather establish a participatory path that brings together families and stakeholders around one goal, which is building a more efficient, responsive, innovative and solution-making system.

He added that the UAE has established an advanced global model in transforming the values ​​of compassion, solidarity and inclusion into sustainable policies, initiatives and projects, stressing that empowering people with autism spectrum disorder and their families is not the responsibility of a specific sector, but rather a shared national responsibility that reflects society’s awareness, maturity and ability to transform human diversity into a source of strength, enrichment and development.

In turn, Engineer Amal Salem Al Karbi, Director General of the Emirates Autism Society, confirmed that the “Family Pulse Councils” represent an interactive national platform that enhances direct communication between families and service providers, and contributes to raising awareness of the specific programs and initiatives available, in a way that facilitates families’ access to appropriate support and enhances their benefit from it.

She said that the national campaign is based on a comprehensive vision that places the family at the heart of the empowerment process, based on the firm conviction that building a supportive and sustainable environment begins with empowering the family and supporting its pivotal role in care, rehabilitation and community integration.

For her part, Fatima Mohammed Al Falahi, Director of the Ghayathi Center, confirmed that the launch of the first sessions of the initiative from the Al Dhafra region embodies the keenness to reach families in the regions of the country, and to establish the principle of equal opportunities in obtaining services and support, in a way that enhances family and community stability.

The council included a review of the services and programs provided by the participating entities, and an expanded dialogue session with families that discussed the most prominent challenges and needs, and came up with a number of recommendations and proposals aimed at developing services that are in line with the objectives of the Year of the Family.

The “Family Pulse Councils” are one of six major initiatives included in the National Autism Awareness and Families Empowerment Campaign, and their sessions are scheduled to continue in the emirates of the country, in a way that will advance community partnership, support family empowerment efforts, and consolidate the UAE’s position as a global model in building a comprehensive society that embraces everyone and gives them equal opportunities for participation and success.

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