“Emirates Down Syndrome Society Launches Historic Self-Advocacy Program for People with Down Syndrome”

DUBAI, 12th May, 2020 (WAM) — The Emirates Down Syndrome Society in Dubai has confirmed that the first self-advocacy program in the country for people with Down syndrome, which was launched in its third phase, continues to achieve the goals for which it was established, which is to highlight the voice of people of determination with Down syndrome and enable them to express themselves. themselves and their needs and defend their rights systematically.
Dr. Manal Jaarour, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “We started the self-advocacy program for people with Down syndrome in cooperation with the International Down Syndrome Organization (DSI) in the United Kingdom in 2019. The program aimed to train 20 supporters from various specializations related to people of determination representing government and private agencies and centers and parents from All the emirates of the country to train 35 self-advocates with Down syndrome.

She added: “Self-advocacy is one of the most important themes that were put forward at the World Down Syndrome Congress Dubai 2021, which the country won to host for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.”
Jaarour praised the wise leadership’s continuous support for people of determination, the advanced level the country is witnessing in the field of people of determination’s rights, and the status it has reached in this field.
For her part, Nawal Al Nasser, Vice-Chairman of the Instrument Council, praised all the facilitators and participants from the various agencies and institutions represented in the Ministry of Community Development, Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Al-Noor Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of People of Determination, and the Center for Our Children and Parents who showed great commitment. And a clear interaction to achieve the goals of the program since its inception, noting that the program has resulted in spreading knowledge and sharing the concepts and principles of self-advocacy with their colleagues and parents to enable people with Down syndrome to express themselves and enhance their self-confidence.
For her part, Salma Kanaan, Executive Director of the Association and Head of the Self-Advocacy Program for People with Down Syndrome, the first at the state level, said: “We are working hard with the facilitators to enable the advocates to express themselves and talk confidently about their dreams and aspirations. themselves”.