The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has received an Autism-Friendly Certificate (AFC) for the category of cultural facilities to acknowledge Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children, Etihad Museum and Al Shindagha Museum.

Recognition certificates were presented at the Dubai Autism Center’s headquarters during the official visit of the Dubai Culture Delegation, chaired by Hala Badri, Director-General of the Authority, and in the presence of Muna Faisal Algurg, CEO of the Cultural and Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture; Mansour Loota, CEO of Operations Support Sector at Dubai Culture; Abdullah Alfalasi, Director of the Etihad Museum; and Adil Omar, senior special projects and media director at the Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children.

Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, affirmed the importance of supporting people of determination, developing their life and social skills, and unleashing their creative talents, saying: “At Dubai Culture, we aim to make a fundamental difference to the lives of people By adopting a set of innovative solutions that contribute to activate their presence and participation in cultural and artistic events organized by the Authority, based on our social responsibility towards them and our awareness of the importance of their energy, skills and creativity determination. It should be developed and directed in the right direction, taken care of and invested in the best way, which would reflect positively on enriching the local cultural landscape.”

Badri affirmed that Dubai Culture’s receiving the Autism-Friendly Certificate reflects its efforts in the field of empowering people of determination and integrating them into society and ensuring they have access to all the Authority’s assets and facilities. This is so that they can enjoy the range of cultural experiences offered to all members of society in line with the Dubai Government’s strategies, which aim to meet the needs of people with determination in all sectors.

On this occasion, Al Emadi lauded Dubai Culture’s efforts and their tireless efforts to maximize the benefits of determined people, including individuals with autism, who seek to have an enriching experience at their facilities and meet their needs Are. Fully in line with our wise government’s vision to transform the Emirate of Dubai into a friendly city for people with determination, like no other.

Al Emadi also confirmed that the Dubai Autism Center, since its inception, has sought to raise community awareness of autism using innovative educational tools, pointing out that the Autism-Friendly Program will open its doors in September this year. was launched as the first of its kind. Initiatives in this area aimed at certifying role models of organizations in the public and private sectors and encouraging the community to adopt higher accessibility standards for persons with autism.

Regarding the processes of the organizing committee of the AFC certification program, Iman Abushbab, Community Outreach Manager at Dubai Autism Centre, revealed that several training workshops and field visits were conducted to Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children, Etihad Museum and Al. Shindagh Museum to provide its staff with the necessary information on how to interact and engage with individuals with autism,

“Based on a review and examination of the criteria for achieving a safe and friendly environment for people with autism, persons, facilities and services at various levels, these institutions are eligible for Autism-Friendly Certificate (AFC) under the category of cultural facilities was awarded.

Abushbab said institutions that receive AFC certification are subject to evaluation once a year, in addition to adopting a ‘mystery shopper’ approach, usually represented by people with autism and their families.

Established by a decree of the Ruler of Dubai in 2001, the Dubai Autism Center aims to provide specialized services to care for children with autism and provide support for their families and their carers. In accordance with Decree No. 26 of 2021, the Dubai Autism Center aims to contribute to making the Emirate of Dubai a leading center in the world in providing approved special education programs and specialized rehabilitation treatment services for people with autism spectrum disorder. The Centre’s financial resources include subsidies, donations and any charitable endowments made for the welfare of the Centre.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. ASD can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. According to recent studies, one in 44 children is affected by ASD.