Burst the myths this April Autism Awareness Month
Zabeel Investments partners with Dubai Autism Center on a calendar of awareness raising events throughout April
This April sees the launch of Dubai Autism Center’s (DAC) 2nd annual Autism Month which comprises of a packed calendar of events aiming to burst the bubble of myths surrounding children with Autism and allowing members of the public to reach out to those affected with it. Through the activities, Dubai Autism Center and its partner, Zabeel Investments, are hoping to increase awareness and raise funds for a much needed new state-of-the-art Center in Garhoud which will enable them to offer more services to children and their parents, and gradually increasing the current enrolment from 43 to 140 children.
DAC Participates in a Specialist Workshop in Athens
Dubai Autism Center has participated in the PYRAMID Seminars “Autism and Related Disabilities: The Pyramid Approach” on 22, 23 & 24 February 2008 in Athens, Greece, attended by Mr. Mohammad Fteiha, Speech & Communication Unit Coordinator, and Ms. Rabab Abdelwahab, DAC's nominator from Speech and Communication Unit. The Seminars aim to understanding and dealing with problem behavior and to improving functional communication.
Autism ID Cards
In accordance with the Dubai Autism Center's plan on spreading awareness to activate the means of communication between the children with Autism and the community, DAC recently introduced small pockets containing a group of information cards on Autism. These cards are to be distributed to be delivered to the parents who have children with Autism and other involved organizations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaima.
Dubai Cares Foundation has DAC's director as Board Member
DUBAI – UAE: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a law to set up Dubai Cares Foundation as an independent and non-governmental organization.
Sheikh Mohammed also issued a decree naming board of Directors of the Dubai Cares Foundation. According to the decree, Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi shall be appointed as the board’s chairperson and Dr Mariam Mohammed Matar as deputy chairperson. Other board members include Ahmed Abdul Wahid bin Shabib, Fahd Abdul Aziz Al Banai, Huraiz Al Mur bin Huraiz, Mohammed Amin Al Emadi, Hala Yousif Badri, Jameelah Salem Al Muhairi and Fred Sakaray. The law and decree shall be effective from the date of publishing in the official gazette.
It is worth mentioning that Mr. Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member of DAC, had been appointed as the Project Manager of Dubai Cares Campaign. The campaign was launched by Sheikh Mohammed during Ramadan to collect funds to educate deprived children in countries around the world. Sheikh Mohammed announced at the charity campaign's closing ceremony that he was matching the Dh1.7 billion that had been collected. This amount was doubled by Sheikh Mohammed to Dh3.4bn total makes it the world's largest fundraising campaign.
GM Donates AED 280,953 to DAC
The Dubai Autism Centre was in January 2008 presented with a cheque for Dh280,953 by General Motors Middle East. The money was raised from the General Motors Style Event held on November 11, 2007 in the Madinat Arena.
At a special presentation held on the premises of the Dubai Autism Centre (DAC), Terry Johnsson, president of General Motors, Middle East Operations, handed over the cheque to both Dr Omar bin Sulaiman, Governor of Dubai Financial Centre and vice-chairman of DAC and Mr. Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member for DAC.
Tennis Celebrities Visit Dubai Autism Center
Dubai Autism Center has welcomed various tennis celebrities including: Thomas Muster (Australia), Pat Cash (USA), Mikael Pernfors (Sweden), Cedric Pioline (France), and representatives from Delwood Sport Marketing to be briefed of the center's services, before they toured its various units. This visit is part of the prestigious "The Legends Rock Dubai" tennis event held during 22nd – 24th November 2007.
DAC Director General as Dubai Cares Project Manager
 In his participation as the Project Manager of Dubai Cares Campaign Mr. Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member of DAC joining His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in a photo-group with a number of the campaign's team.
Dubai Cares was launched by Sheikh Mohammed during Ramadan to collect funds to educate deprived children in countries around the world. Sheikh Mohammed announced at the charity campaign's closing ceremony that he was matching the Dh1.7 billion that had been collected. This amount was doubled by Sheikh Mohammed to Dh3.4bn total makes it the world's largest fundraising campaign.
Modern Speech Laboratory Launched
 Dubai Autism Center has launched a speech Lab as part of his Speech & Communication Unit. The laboratory is supplied with Clinical Applications of high technology and deals with different aspects of Speech and Language pathology, disorders, assessment, diagnosis and therapy.
The assessment and diagnosis for the children with Autism will be more efficient by using the new features of the lab, which is a full range of speech instrumentation that allows for objective assessment of voice disorders; the instrumentation is also used as part of therapy and provides visual feedback and reinforcement to the patient.
DIFC’s Governor Visits Dubai Autism Center
 Dubai, UAE – 25 October, 2007: Dubai Autism Center (DAC) welcomed His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Vice Chairman of Dubai Autism Center, along with a delegation of the center’s board members.
His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman said: “We are particularly grateful for the support by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Autism Center. We, as a Business Community, are embracing our responsibility to play a role in developing our society. It is important for both business and individuals to have a duty towards being socially responsible. We look forward to developing our role with the Dubai Austism Center.
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DAC Buses: a modern technique of awareness
 Dubai – UAE: By the beginning of the academic year 2007 - 08, Dubai Autism Center's awareness program has been refreshed by a new awareness tool "Bus posters" to increase awareness about Autism and the center's services towards children with Autism and their parents among the general society.
"People notice moving objects when they are driving. Bus ads are eyecatching, unique and therefore memorable.
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Unsung heroes
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai honored behind-the-scenes government employees dubbed Dubai's "Unsung heroes" for the quiet dedication they have shown to their work. They included Dubai Autism Center's PRO Mr. Salim Khalfan Al Huttaly.
Summer Cycle Trip in Greece Supporting DAC
In a humanitarian initiative to support Dubai Autism Center (DAC), Amanda and Odwin will tour Greek Islands on a bicycle for the next four months till October aiming to raise awareness and funds for children with Autism at DAC.
The two British travelers expressed their intents in a letter to DAC as it is shown on the attached photo.
Dubai Autism Centre declares April as Autism Awareness Month
 Together Again, a month-long education and outreach campaign, is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Autism Centre. The initiative is aimed at raising awareness and funds.
The campaign set up to educate the community on Autism, will incorporate sale of artworks produced by children with autism, specially-produced branded wristbands and other fundraising initiatives.
DAC Way - A handbook for employee of the Dubai Autism Center
 In accordance with the Dubai Autism Center's plans in elevating its services making sure that the consistency of pursuing method plans set by DAC's Board Members, and to activate the means of communication exercised internationally, DAC recently introduced the 'DAC Way' handbook to its employees.
The handbook consists of a group of policies and regulations formed according to communication basis amongst the employees and families of children with autism. It also includes communication etiquettes upon welcoming visitors in all means; face-to-face meetings, phone conversations, letters & emails and dealing with complaints as well as general safety procedures.
DAC Held Open Day for Children with Autism
 Dubai – UAE: In collaboration with Children's  City in Dubai, the Dubai Autism Center held the annual Open Day, its third year, for the children with Autism at Creekside Park on Saturday 17 March 2007, More than 40 children from DAC students enjoyed the Open Day with their families, teachers, volunteers, and bout 170 people attended the event. the event consisted of a host of activities that included face painting, a magic show, arts and crafts, inflatable castles and pony rides. |
