A symposium with the theme, "Empowering Educators, Therapists and Parents in the Field of Disabilities" organised by the Future Rehabilitation Centre, commenced at the centre on Saturday morning.

The centre had invited four experts and keynote speakers to manage this event, led by Dr. Karen Guldberg, Director of the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER), University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, UK, said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Honorary President of The Future Rehabilitation Centre, in his remarks while opening the symposium.

Dr. Guldberg will talk about the academic and behavioural needs of students with disabilities.

The minister stressed that the symposium focusses on the latest and best curriculum, various methods and techniques to meet different educational and developmental needs of people with disability. "The common goal is to recognise the unique capabilities of promotion of young people with disabilities," he said.

The Future Rehabilitation Centre is the first learning institution accredited by the Tucci Learning Solutions, United States, to implement the Competent Learner Model (CLM) in the region, Sheikh Nahyan said, and added that today was the renewal of accreditation for the third time in a row.

He stressed the continuity of the centre's efforts and achievements. The partnership between the centre and the British international programme was established last year to focus on teaching skills for work and life.

The staff of the future centre is working hard in this regard, and focusses on young people with disabilities because they represent an immediate success, Sheikh Nahyan said.

He explained that the forum today reinforces the commitment of the centre to employ the best methods, techniques and curriculum to meet the different educational and developmental needs of individuals with disabilities. It does not spare any effort in helping these students achieve their hopes and aspirations.

These efforts and endeavours embody the determination of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who said, "We will not spare any effort to achieve the hopes and aspirations of our people."

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces is interested in providing appropriate education for each individual with the complete understanding that everyone has the ability to make an important contribution, Sheikh Nahyan said.

"As a result, the UAE provides education and treatment for people with disabilities with the hope that this group will contribute to the community in a positive way," he added.

Sheikh Nahyan received the renewal of accreditation from Ethan Goldrich, Counsellor, United States Deputy Chief of Mission in the UAE, to continue implementing the CLM programme. He also presented certificates to nine students who have completed one of the programmes.

The event was attended by Philip Parham, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the UAE, Juma Abdullah Al Abadi, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UAE, Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, Chairman of Board of Directors of the Centre and a number of board members, and Director of the Future Rehabilitation Centre Dr. Mustafa Mowfaq.