Dubai Early Child Development Centre (DECDC), an initiative by the Community Development Authority (CDA), launched a back-to-school initiative by distributing gift vouchers to 64 of the children registered at DECDC and have now been included in mainstream schools for the academic year 2012-2013. Dr Bushra Al Mulla, Director of the DECDC said: “This initiative reflects our responsibility to empower children with disabilities by providing them with an excellent network of services in collaboration with our strategic partners as well as helping them integrate into society, especially in the educational field. “The centre has sought to design promising programmes and launch initiatives that enable children in this category to enhance their developmental capabilities to play an active role in their community.” Under the back-to-school initiative, whichcoincided with the new school year, DECDC distributed vouchers to the families and children to help them purchase stationary for school. All the centre’s kids who are at an appropriate school-age are currently enrolled at private and government mainstream schools, nurseries and kindergartens. DECDC also offers early intervention services, including speech and language therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, behavior modification and others. The families of the children welcomed this initiative that helps families by reducing this financial burden. They praised the constant efforts of CDA with all individuals in the society. From gulftoday