Sheikh Mohammed issues new law for individuals with disabilities in Dubai

A new law has been issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for people of determination (people with disabilities) in Dubai.

The Law No. (3) of 2022, which replaces Law No. (2) of 2012 pertaining to the Protection of the Rights of People of Determination in the Emirate of Dubai, seeks to ensure the inclusion and integration of these individuals into society and also include them in the process of drafting policies and legislations that concern their quality of life.

The law establishes the rights of people of determination and the services that relevant entities should provide them. These include inclusive education at every stage, rehabilitation, inclusive job opportunities in all sectors, and healthcare, therapeutic and social services, in addition to access to all services such as worship, police and legal services, according to state-run news agency WAM.

Relevant entities should also offer people of determination the ability to access data and information through various platforms and inform them about their legal rights.

.@HHShkMohd issues Law on the Rights of People with Disabilities in #Dubaihttps://t.co/y8zJuUAHN3
(Archive photo) pic.twitter.com/Dg7n5NOD9M

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 10, 2022

The law also seeks to ensure that these individuals can access banking services and participate in various sports and entertainment programmes, among others.

It also outlines the tasks and responsibilities of government entities in implementing the law.

The law also creates a permanent committee named the ‘Higher Committee to Protect the Rights of People of Determination’. The Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, will issue a decision on the formation of the committee, which will include representatives of relevant entities as well as representatives of People of Determination. The committee is tasked with supervising all affairs concerning people of determination in Dubai, and implementing policies, plans and initiatives aimed at protecting their rights.

Furthermore, the law describes the actions that violate the rights of People of Determination. It tasks the Community Development Authority in Dubai with developing a system to allow people of determination and their guardians to report any violations of their rights. According to the law, a person with a disability, his or her guardian, or anyone who witnesses a violation of the rights or mistreatment of such individuals, should report the incident to relevant authorities.

The Community Development Authority in Dubai is also tasked with issuing identification cards for people of determination registered in Dubai. The identification cards will help them access facilities and services allocated to them.

Violators of the new law and the decisions issued pursuant to the law will be subject to fines listed in the Executive Regulation of the Law. Fines will be doubled in case an offence is repeated within a year of the first offence, up to a maximum of Dhs100,000.

The Dubai Statistics Centre meanwhile is tasked with creating a database of people of determination in Dubai.

In the latest Dhs181bn three-year budget for Dubai unveiled by Sheikh Mohammed earlier this month, 30 per cent of the total expenditure has been earmarked for government spending on the social development sector which includes a focus on people of determination.

Read: Sheikh Mohammed approves Dubai budget of Dhs181bn for 2022-2024