As part of its ongoing commitment to community and social development, Dubai Bank organised its first workshop in partnership with the Community Development Authority (CDA), last week. The workshop was aimed at sensitising a cross section of senior employees and frontline mid-level managers to individuals with special needs.
The workshop is the first of a range of initiatives planned by Dubai Bank in this regard, following its memorandum of understanding with CDA signed in January 2010. The MoU marked a significant development in the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, and is in line with its commitment to support the local community through its CSR activities.
The workshop gave participants a unique insight into the needs of this section of the community and included modules on those with hearing impairments, people affected by blindness and individuals with intellectual and learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.
"This first workshop conducted by CDA really opened our eyes to the needs of this often overlooked section of our community, “said Mr. Waleed Saeed Al Awadi, Deputy Chief Marketing Officer at Dubai Bank. “Raising people's awareness about those special needs and about the ways in which individuals faced with physical or intellectual challenges are no different from any one else is a critical step in creating a more inclusive and progressive environment. We, at Dubai Bank, recognise it as an important goal to empower individuals with special needs, and this goal forms an integral part of our overall CSR efforts.”
According to Dr. Eman Gaad, Director of Disability Services at Community Development Authority, said: “The first workshop with Dubai Bank was highly successful and I am encouraged by the enthusiasm and support of Dubai Bank and its employees. The participants at the workshop were interactive and to a great extent, already sensitised to the needs of such individuals. They also shared their experiences with people having special needs, and it was an enriching experience for me, personally to engage with such a knowledgeable and sensitive audience. We, at CDA, look forward to working more closely with Dubai Bank to strengthen the culture of integrating all cross-sections of the society and especially people with special needs.”
Shafiqa Fikree, Head of Dubai Bank’s Amirah banking services, who participated in the workshop had this to say: “The workshop was truly a learning experience for me and made me aware of the unique needs of people with disabilities. I am proud to be working in an organisation which places such an emphasis on education and raising awareness on this disadvantaged section of our community.”
Established in 2008 CDA is a governmental Authority based in Dubai that is responsible for developing frameworks for social development, set to play a significant role in achieving the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015. The authority also cooperates with the Ministry of Social Affairs and other government bodies in supporting sustainable social development and economic growth.
