The UAE has recently confirmed its commitments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to integrate and empower and create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. This links to the Dubai Disability Strategy 2020, aiming to provide equal rights and services to people with disabilities.
One of the key initiatives in Clyde & Co's Diversity and Inclusion programme is the integration of people from different backgrounds, training and abilities into the culture of the firm. In this, we work closely with one of the firm's charity partners, Manzil, a school for children and young adults with special educational needs.
Manzil is one of the leading non-profit associations in the UAE working in this important area of integrating young people with special needs into the work place. Working with Manzil, our firm has been able to offer work experience student placements to Manzil students with our Dubai office Facilities team.
The already existing Dubai Law No 2 of 2014 Protecting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and the Dubai Community Development Authority has been tasked to ensure and promote equal rights to education, health and job opportunities, amongst other rights for those with disabilities.
It is also worthwhile noting that within the regulatory framework of the DIFC and in particular the DIFC Employment Law (Law No. 4 of 2005 (as amended)) there are express provisions against workplace discrimination on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, nationality, religion or disability and employers must ensure that they do not breach such provisions.
As part of the Manzil work experience programme, Clyde & Co also ran a session to educate staff on working with people with disabilities. Dr Ayesha, the Director of Manzil, presented an interactive session for staff to help us learn about how organisations can work with people with disabilities and what people with disabilities can offer to the workplace.
Manzil's employment programme is called 'PRIDE' - people receiving independence and dignity through employment. Through their PRIDE programme, Manzil work with a number of private and government bodies to increase the ability of people with special needs to gain employment and independence.
Creating Equal Opportunities For Persons With Disabilities
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