A guide to the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination 2020-2024

As the Abu Dhabi government begins planning the next phase of the strategy for the coming years, here’s a look at the first version and its key milestones:

The starting point

Abu Dhabi is home to over 20,000 registered people of determination (POD), both UAE Nationals and expatriates.

• Some of the most common disabilities include autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities and specific learning disorders.
• POD face challenges in accessing education, social support, healthcare and employment opportunities.
• Barriers in housing, transport, and accessibility hinder participation in arts, culture, sports and volunteering.

The driving force

• The strategy was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
• It provides a comprehensive roadmap for inclusion and empowerment of POD.
• The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development (DCD) is responsible for overseeing and enabling key stakeholders and partners from government, private and third sector entities to deliver on the strategy pillars.  
• The strategy has more than 25 initiatives under key pillars: 

1. 1. health and rehabilitation
   2. universal access to built environment, facilities, transportation, housing and information
   3. social care and protection
   4. education
   5. employment
   6. participation in public social, sports, cultural and recreational life
   7. enablers such as quality of services, capacity-building through awareness and training, sustainable financing and data and research.

The guiding principle

• Focuses on leadership, participation and representation of POD, aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Promotes independent living, self-determination and equal access to opportunities.

Key milestones in the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination 2020-2024

1. POD Protection Policy: Launched by DCD to protect POD from violence, neglect, exploitation and discrimination. Includes a guide for safeguarding POD.
2. POD Employment Policy: Led by the Department of Government Enablement to implement 15 initiatives for equal employment opportunities. Includes awareness programmes for government employees.
3. POD Education Policy: Developed by the Department of Education and Knowledge to improve inclusive education. Inclusive education policy launched in schools with autism awareness training held in collaboration with key organisations.
4. Assisted Living Project: An operational model for home personal care, daycare services and supported residential living.
5. Inclusion Excellence Award: Designed to incentivise organisations across sectors to enhance inclusive practices with 3 categories: accessible environment, inclusive services (transport, health, education, entertainment, third sector), inclusive employment.

6. POD and Elderly Inclusive City: An accelerator to several strategies in the emirate, including the POD Strategy, the Family Wellbeing Strategy and the Early Intervention Development Strategy. The project focuses on two areas: accessible infrastructure, buildings and public spaces; and access to inclusive services and products across all sectors. The pilot begins on Yas Island, in collaboration with Aldar Properties, in 2025. (Other stakeholders have included Miral Destinations.) After the successful pilot, the project will be scaled to other geographic areas in the emirate, including Al Ain and Al Dhafra.