UAE

At a glance

• United Arab Emirates has both signed and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). 

Key stats 

• In 2016, 15,782 people in the UAE were registered with disability cards, which was less than 0.25 per cent of the population (UAE Government).
• In the UAE, around 93 per cent of Emiratis with disabilities are unemployed (Dubai Future Foundation).

The law

• Disability legislation – The UAE government has published an overview of the rights of persons with disabilities in the UAE. This outlines the laws that govern disability inclusion in the UAE, which include: 
  • Inclusive education at every stage
  • Rehabilitation
  • Inclusive job opportunities in all sectors
  • Healthcare, therapeutic and social services
  • Other services such as worship, police and legal services.
• Definition of disability – Defined in Federal Law No. (14) for the Year 2009 as “Each person with an incapacity, total or partial, permanent or temporary, in their physical, sensory, mental, communication, educational, or psychological abilities to an extent of being unable to fulfil their regular requirements in the same conditions like those non-disabled”.  

Language

• Official language – The official language of the UAE is Arabic.
• People of determination – This is a common term for disabled people in the UAE and some other Arabic-speaking countries. This term is used by the government since 2017, with aims to create an inclusive society for people with disabilities.

Employment

• Adjustments / accommodations – Employers are legally required to make reasonbale adjustments for disabled employees (UAE gov).
• Positive discrimination – With the UAE Labour Law, employers are permitted to positively discriminate in favour of disadvantaged groups.
• Quotas – The UAE does not use a quota system for people with disabilities in employment.
• Incentives – There are no government incentives for employers to hire more disabled people.

Built environment

• The UAE Disability Act requires that all public buildings and facilities be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Digital accessibility

• The UAE has a National Digital Accessibility Policy that aims to make digital services accessible to all members of society, including people with disabilities.  

Country-specific disability organisations

• Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) – A humanitarian organisation that offers mental and psychological health assessments, rehabilitation programmes, and initial evaluations for babies.
• Al Noor Training Centre – A public welfare association that provides services for people with disabilities.
• Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services – An independent organisation that serves people of determination from different nationalities and age groups.