DEWA extends continuous support to people with special needs

In line with its vision to be a sustainable innovative world-class utility and as part of its strategy to support the national endeavours towards achieving the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to achieve a tolerant and inclusive society embracing common civic values, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) received Haifaa Al Haddad, an employee from the Marketing and Communication Department at DEWA, in the presence of Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications. The aim of the meeting was to emphasise DEWA’s social responsibilities and commitment to developing all segments of community, especially people with special needs.

“Our corporate social responsibility strategy is in line with the vision of Dubai set by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It also complements the ‘My community... A City for Everyone’ initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, to make the whole of Dubai a disabled-friendly city by 2020 by supporting and enhancing the Emirate’s current efforts to enable people with disabilities. DEWA is fully committed to further enhance social development in Dubai and the UAE by launching social projects and initiatives and developing cooperation with stakeholders to achieve the vision of the Dubai Government,” said HE Al Tayer.

DEWA provides a positive and ideal work environment for employees with special needs. This includes but is not limited to providing parking facilities for employees and customers with special needs and allowing easy and comfortable use of wheelchairs across all its departments and offices. DEWA launched a distinguished service for speech- and hearing-impaired residents and citizens, named ‘Ash'ir’ last year, a live video chat service that enables people with speech and hearing impairment to communicate directly with DEWA’s call centre staff using sign language.

DEWA adopts a clear and deep-rooted strategy of attracting and hiring people with special needs in all departments and examines recruitment and hiring procedures that take into account the different capabilities and challenges of each and every candidate.

DEWA has won the Princess Haya Award for Special Education (PHASE) for the Outstanding Special Needs Supporter in the Public Sector category. The Award was established by H.R.H. Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E., and Ruler of Dubai, in November 2008.

The Award is the first-of-its-kind in the region to create a competitive environment that provides best practices in educating and rehabilitating special needs individuals according to the highest international standards through distinguished and high quality programmes that ensure successful results. DEWA has been sponsoring the Award since it was established in 2008.

DEWA supports Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, and raises funds for Dubai Autism Centre. It marks World Down Syndrome Day annually with a range of activities to illustrate the best and latest international practices in dealing with children with Down syndrome.

DEWA sponsors the final run of Dubai Club for Special Sports as well as Fazza Disabled International Championship. DEWA also has sponsored the 4^th Umrah of Khorfakkan Club for People with Special Needs and for students from Emirates Association of the Visually Impaired. DEWA achieved 87% society satisfaction in 2014, compared to 82% in 2013.