reference body in the process of containment, integration and empowerment of persons with disabilities through a system that begins after the student meets the requirements of admission to the university.

The UoS has been keen to develop its various buildings and facilities to suit all forms of disability, including motor disability, with the technical assistance of a special committee set up by the University for this purpose, he added.

Long Journey Towards Empowerment

For over 38 years, the physically disabled have been the focus of attention in Sharjah. Following the establishment of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), one of the Arab world’s key institutions handling educational, social and environmental issues of the disabled, several similar institutions have been launched. These include Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped, Parents of Disabled Association,Emirates Association of the Visually Impaired and Al Thiqah Projects for Employment & Rehabilitation.

The directives of HH the Ruler of Sharjah to harness all possibilities to facilitate the mobility of physically disabled people around any place, facility or institution, urged the Executive Council, under the chairmanship of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, to put in place a number of laws, regulations and requirements that bind all government entities concerned with public construction to adopt disabled-friendly engineering standards.

Since the launch of the World Federation of the Disabled Regional Office in Sharjah, headed by Dr Tariq Sultan bin Khadem, Chairman of Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped, the Office has conducted field visits to all government entities and private institutions