Sharjah 24: The World Disability Union (WDU) at its headquarters in the Emirate of Sharjah, honoured the bodies and institutions that implement environmental standards for people with disabilities, and granted them accreditation certificates as friendly bodies for people with disabilities. This came during a ceremony held Saturday, at the Oceanic Hotel in Khorfakkan.

The ceremony, held for the fifth time, was attended by Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadim, Vice President of the World Disability Union; Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabeh Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Holy Quran Academy (HQA) in Sharjah; Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA); Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Municipality and Planning Department In Ajman; Dr. Rashid Khamis Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Khorfakkan Municipal Council; Dr. Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Bani Rashid, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled; Ahmed Salem Al Mazloum, Executive Director of Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped; Haider Taleb Arba`, Secretary-General of the World Disability Union; and representatives of honourees, and various media representatives.

During the ceremony, the launch of the new initiative "The Certificate of the WDU of Initiatives" was announced, which the WDU decided to adopt in appreciation of the efforts of individuals who make impressive achievements and initiatives that serve people with disabilities.

In his speech during the ceremony, Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadim expressed his deep appreciation and pride in all the achievements and efforts of the honourees, and their vital role in empowering people with disabilities and creating supportive and qualified environments to activate their contributions to life, and bring about cultural shifts to add to the achievements of the UAE in the advancement of man.

He stressed that all these achievements crowned the early tireless efforts made by the UAE wise leadership towards the issues, affairs and rights of people with disabilities. He proudly appreciated the lofty directives and diligent follow-up of the first advocate for the disabled, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah who directed all capabilities and resources towards caring for people with disabilities and preparing them properly to contribute to building the Emirati society.

He called for the modernisation and development of services in accordance with the standards of distinguished services for persons with disabilities that are internationally approved.

He stressed that the evaluation committee of the World Disability Union continued its work despite the global COVID pandemic during the past period, and communicated by all available means "such as field visits and visual communication" with the authorities listed within its regional scope inside and outside the country to achieve the most accurate results.

Dr. Tariq bin Khadim explained that promoting the culture of environments friendly to people with disabilities is a civilised manifestation adopted by the UAE government, and is manifested through all its plans and projects.

He indicated that everyone abides by the service standards that fall under the umbrella of the World Disability Union, which in turn constitutes a major reference for specifications with the highest standards in the world.

He emphasised that these credits are added to the achievements of the records of the participating parties, which took the initiative to support and empower people with disabilities.

Concluding his speech, Bin Khadim thanked the Evaluation Committee for its efforts and its pivotal role in following up, conforming to international standards and evaluating the levels of local and international participating agencies.

The honouring included 15 institutions, namely, the Sharjah Airport Authority, the Holy Quran Academy, the World Trade Centre in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau for the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, the Investment and Development Authority Shurooq for the Flag Island, the Sharjah Museums Authority for the Sharjah Heritage Museum and Sharjah Aquarium, and the Implementation Authority for the Suhub Rest House in Khorfakkan, the Khorfakkan Dentistry Specialised Centre, the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman for Al Safa Park and Al Alam Park, the Khorfakkan Expo Centre, That Act Hotel Sharjah, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Marine Transportation, Edo State Sports Stadium in Nigeria, and Gulf Bank Port Sudan in Sudan, and the Community Rehabilitation Centre, Irbid, Jordan. In addition to honouring volunteers and media organisations that support the activities of the World Disability Union.

We are pleased with this new achievement, which builds on the Emirate of Sharjah's previous successes in providing an incubator environment for people with mobility disabilities and leveraging their capabilities, in accordance with the directives and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasim," Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said on the occasion of recognising Sharjah International Airport as a disability-friendly airport.

Engineer Salah bin Butti Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Initiatives Implementation Authority "Mubadara," expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for His Highness’s keen interest in ensuring a decent life for the disabled by enacting laws that protect their rights in society, and by directing that all service and entertainment establishments be equipped in a manner that is appropriate with disabled people's health condition.

Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabah Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Sharjah Holy Qur'an Academy, expressed his heartfelt appreciation and delight at the academy's receipt of the golden certificate for places qualified for people with disabilities, as well as its commitment to implementing environmental standards for people with disabilities as a friendly establishment for people with developmental disabilities.

Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), commented on the Flag Island’s obtaining the golden certificate for places eligible for people with disabilities from the WDU, saying: "Earning the golden certificate  being among the places eligible for people with disabilities from the WDU demonstrates our commitment to enhance  Sharjah's position as a city that is accessible to individuals with disabilities on national and international levels."

Following in the footsteps and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasim, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), emphasised the office's commitment to promoting and facilitating the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in the various events and activities.

The inclusion of the Sharjah Heritage Museum and the Sharjah Aquarium as friendly destinations for people with disabilities on the WDU's website, according to Manal Ataya, Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority, is the outcome of the authority's great efforts to make its museums accessible to all members of society, including people with various disabilities.

Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of Ajman's Municipality and Planning Department, stated that the department always pays attention to people of determination, believes in their creativity and capabilities, and seeks to empower them and help them take their first steps on the path of life with strength and determination.

The WDU was established in 2011 as a global umbrella organisation with 150 affiliates in 88 countries. It is unique in that it is the only organisation that bequeaths international certification on environmentally responsible governmental and non - governmental institutions and agencies serving disabled persons.

Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped serves as the Union's headquarters. The Sharjah-based club was the first in the UAE to focus on the cultural, social, therapeutic, and physical characteristics of people with disabilities, having officially opened in 1987.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has led the Emirate of Sharjah in taking purposeful initiatives to help individuals with disabilities achieve equality and to make their lives more comfortable.

Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services was the first of several disabled-serving organisations, and has served as a launchpad for numerous initiatives since the 1970s. As a result of these efforts, the emirate has received international recognition, including a certificate from the WDU stating that "Sharjah is a friendly city for persons with mobility disabilities."