Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) praised the interest the government attributes to various categories of people of determination (POD) and its endeavour to provide them with the best care by establishing centres for care and rehabilitation and publicising sports clubs that work on developing their physical abilities to become active members of society.
ZHO celebrates World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March each year at various centres. The main event took place on Monday at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi Centre for Care and Rehabilitation, in the presence of Abdullah Abdul-Aali Al-Humaidan, Secretary-General of the ZHO, and a number of the ZHO leaders, students of determination from the category of intellectual disabilities (Down Syndrome) and their families. The event included various theatrical performances and a set of art workshops.
The event was aimed at expanding the participation of people of determination in community activities, nurturing their talents, and achieving educational empowerment. The ZHO expanded the invitation to its event and partnered with its local community, local institutions, local authorities, and public benefit associations.
Abdullah Ismail Al Kamali, Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at the ZHO, said, “Our wise leadership provides us with the required support to provide the best and finest services to our children of Determination. The People of Determination sector at ZHO provides interconnected services to prepare and rehabilitate PODs and reintegrate them into society. With full keenness, we provide the best expertise and medical and rehabilitation equipment to all centres affiliated with ZHO.”
He added, “Celebrating the World Down Syndrome Day represents an opportunity to hone the people of determination’s capabilities and interact with others, by focusing on their latent talents. He pointed out that engaging and integrating PODs with members of the external community and enhancing their self-confidence is a form of POD empowerment and one of the main goals of the ZHO.”
The parties participating in the celebration were the Abu Dhabi Police General Command, the Emirates Down Syndrome Association, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi, and the community police.
The ZHO signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding in 2019 with the Emirates Down Syndrome Association for cooperation between the two parties in coordination, exchange of experiences, and building an integrated organisational framework.
