Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Inclusion International - ILSMH

United Arab Emirates

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997 Inclusion International, United Arab Emirates

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law, in guidelines adopted by the government, and in policy adopted by NGOs. Since the adoption of the Rules the government has not done anything to convey the message of full participation.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by general legislation. General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education only.
No new legislation has been enacted since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment which establish national design standards requiring that the outdoor environment is made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by municipalities. The following measures have been promoted by the government in order to facilitate accessibility in the built environment: levelling off pavements, marking parking areas, ensuring access to public places. There is no special transport arrangement for persons with disabilities. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments, are attitudinal factors, technical factors, lack of knowledge, research and information, lack of user participation, lack of co-operation from other organizations/institutions and lack of enforcement mechanism. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language has no officially recognized status. There are no government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities. The following service is provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others: literature in Braille/tape.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is no national umbrella organization. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with governmental institutions. Organizations of persons with disabilities are never consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. The government gives financial support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government, legislatures, judicial authorities and political parties, but to a great extent in NGOs. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, contribute to public awareness, provide services and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

There is no national co-ordinating committee or any similar body.

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