Sharjah: Wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, has emphasised that providing supportive environments for people with disabilities is a steadfast priority for the Emirate’s leadership. His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has made significant investments in advanced educational and development tools to elevate humanitarian services for people with disabilities, ensuring they receive care and educational access from an early age to enable their meaningful integration into society.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikha Jawaher’s remarks came during her visit to Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in Al Barashi on Monday, where she was welcomed by Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SCHS, and Muna Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director-General of SCHS, along with officials from the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and
leaders of organisations under the patronage of Her Highness. Reflecting on the visit, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher stated, “My visit to the new headquarters revealed a story over 40 years of dedicated service, helping individuals with disabilities grow in a nurturing and creative environment that fosters their potential within a community that understands and supports them as they face their challenges.”
Her Highness toured SCHS’s facilities, reviewing the educational and therapeutic programmes designed for students with disabilities, which align with international best practices in therapeutic education. She also explored the products from the Masarat Development and Empowerment Centre, expressing admiration for its brands Taqueen, Danat, Ateeq, Fan Al Darza, Zolia, and Khazaf, which showcase the creativity and skill of individuals with disabilities.
Sheikha Jawaher also toured Al Wafaa School for Capacity Development, founded in 1984 and recognised as the first school for cognitive disabilities in the UAE. The s
chool has continuously evolved, offering appropriate services to individuals with cognitive and multiple disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, employing the latest methods and resources.
Her Highness also toured the Sharjah Autism Centre, established during the 1994-1995 academic year as the first specialised service for individuals with autism spectrum disorder in the UAE, initially as an adjunct to the Intellectual Development Institute (now Al Wafaa School for Capacity Development). In 2002, the centre was formalised as the UAE’s first specialised centre providing educational and therapeutic support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families.
Sheikha Jameela Al Qasimi emphasised the importance of this visit, noting, “Her Highness’s continuous support reflects the broader commitment of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, our honourary president, to prioritise people and address their needs. The new headquarters was designed to meet the specific needs of individuals with disabili
ties, promoting their integration into society through specialised educational techniques. This is a source of immense pride for SCHS, and it exemplifies our commitment to delivering noble community-centred services.”
Muna Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director-General of SCHS, stated, “SCHS has consistently delivered high-quality services that create meaningful impacts in the lives of our members. We have gained the trust of countless families, with 1,143 students currently enrolled this academic year, supported by 714 staff members, including 72 employees with disabilities. Our achievements include a six-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International), which recognises our standards in disability services and rehabilitation. SCHS is the UAE’s first organisation in this field to earn such an international accreditation.”
SCHS continues to strive for excellence, aiming to expand its global recognition. Al Yafei noted, “Our accomplishments and recognitions un
derscore Sharjah’s position as an inclusive Emirate. Locally, SCHS was awarded first place in the Sharjah Award for Creative People with Disabilities. Internationally, SCHS recently partnered with ‘Plena Inclusión’ in Madrid to enhance the independence of individuals with intellectual disabilities through a certified training programme based on simplified reading, supported by the European Union’s ‘Train2Validate’ project.”
SCHS is also preparing to host the World Conference on Inclusive Education in September 2025, in partnership with Inclusion International and with support from the Government of Sharjah.