- Friendly environment for customers and employees of determination
- First government organisation in the UAE to launch video chat service in sign language with call centre staff
- DEWA’s Innovation Centre trains students of determination on modern technologies
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has taken huge strides in supporting and empowering people of determination by launching several initiatives, programmes, and services, according to well-defined plans and strategies aligned with the best global practices and standards. This helps integrate people of determination and achieve their happiness by creating a conducive environment that allows them to unleash their capabilities and potential. This also enhances their inclusion in society, and helps find new ways to involve them in their social environment as capable and creative individuals. These efforts have contributed to raising Social Happiness about DEWA’s role as an organisation that supports people of determination from 82% in 2013, to 92% in 2017.
Excellent services for people of determination
DEWA has launched many programmes and initiatives that contribute to integrating people of determination in society. DEWA provides world-class facilities and services that conform to the Dubai Universal Design Code, to ensure a seamless and integrating environment for people of determination, including redesigning its Customer Happiness Centres to be easily accessible for them. DEWA’s services to people of determination include provides free valet parking across all its centres. It also provides wheelchair service, dedicated parking spaces, wheelchairs, directional tactile paving for visually-impaired, staff who can use sign language, dedicated comprehensive service desks, customer guides and conservation-tip booklets in Braille, as well as other facilities.
Empowering and including people of determination
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, explained that DEWA derives its strategy and work plans from the vision and directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. DEWA is committed to its corporate social responsibility to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda, to preserve a cohesive society that is proud of its identity and sense of belonging, and the Dubai Plan 2021 for Dubai to be a city of happy, creative, and empowered people who live in an inclusive and cohesive society.
“DEWA is committed to meeting the requirements of everyone in society, especially people of determination, in line with the National Policy to Empower People of Determination, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create an inclusive society that ensures empowerment and a decent life for people of determination and their families, and the ‘My Community… a City for Everyone’ initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a city that is friendly for people of determination by 2020. DEWA adopts a strategy for the happiness and inclusion of people of determination. DEWA promotes employment of people of determination and its work environment is friendly for them and supports their needs. DEWA also provides excellent services for customers who are people of determination,” said Al Tayer.
Inclusive employment for people of determination
Dr Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources, and Chairman of DEWA’s Advisory Council for People of Determination at DEWA, said that DEWA’s top management attaches great importance to people of determination and include the policies related to them in all DEWA’s operations and procedures according to best international practices and standards; mainstreaming disability into tangible programmes and initiatives that ensures their integration in the work environment. This also ensures that they get equal opportunities with others, supports their financial independence, and contribution to the sustainable development.
Innovative and smart services
DEWA has launched several innovative and smart initiatives to support and empower people of determination, and facilitate their access to information according to Dubai Smart Government’s criteria.
Sign Language
DEWA has launched Ash’ir service, which enables people with hearing impairment to communicate directly with call centre staff via video chat using sign language. DEWA is the first government organisation in the UAE to launch this pioneering service.
Innovation in voluntary work
In February 2017, HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People of Determination, opened DEWA’s Innovation Centre at the Dubai Rehabilitation Centre for People of Determination in Al Qusais. The centre provides over 150 students with disabilities with training on modern technologies. It ensures a positive innovative educational environment, empowering them to get engaged in all kinds of social activities to become creative and innovative individuals. DEWA aims to provide students with a self-learning experience in which they can deal with advanced devices like robots. This enhances their abilities in creativity and innovation, and provides students with educational opportunities to enter the job market.
The centre’s idea received the UAE Ideas Award for promoting voluntary and humanitarian work at the 6th UAE Ideas Conference & Award, which was organised by Dubai Quality Group. The conference was held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Emirates Airline & Group and Honorary Patron of Dubai Quality Group.
‘Zayed’s approach in supporting people of determination’ Youth Circle
DEWA organised a Youth Circle under the title ‘Zayed’s approach in supporting people of determination.’ The Youth Circle established a direct connection between DEWA and the youth, as well as people of determination, and recognised the role of the late Sheikh Zayed in establishing the UAE’s humanitarian journey and supporting people of determination. The Youth Circle was held at the Youth Centre in Emirates Towers in Dubai. It focused on three main topics: The late Sheikh Zayed’s support to people of determination, the ‘My City… A Community for Everyone’ initiative, and DEWA’s strategy to integrate and empower people of determination.
Supporting 30 families of people with determination, in cooperation with the UAE Deaf Association
DEWA, in cooperation with the UAE Deaf Association, provided electronic equipment and support to 30 families of people with determination to help them in their daily lives. DEWA provided each family with a set of smart devices, based on the latest technologies in accordance with the best international practices in supporting people with hearing disabilities. This is in line with the Smart Dubai initiative, to make Dubai the smartest and the happiest city in the world. The smart devices included alarm and vibration devices to help them communicate with others and wake up easily, and other notification tools to support doorbells, telephones, fire alarms, security equipment, childcare, and others.
Taking care of employees who are people of determination
DEWA launched the Absher initiative to take care of its staff who are people of determination. This includes a dedicated team of specialists and qualified staff in human resources, in addition to a hotline and an email address to streamline their procedures. This initiative was recognised at the First International Conference in Inclusive Employment and Occupational Learning, which was organised by the Dubai Community Development Authority (CDA).
‘Omniyati’ to achieve the wishes of staff of determination
DEWA has launched ‘Omniyati initiative,’ to grant the wishes of DEWA’s people of determination, supported by DEWA’s Advisory Council for People of Determination. DEWA has sponsored and published a short story written by Haifa Hadad, a DEWA employee titled ‘I love School.’ DEWA attaches great importance to developing the skills and capabilities of its staff and encouraging them to develop their creativity in different areas.
Gathering for Happiness and Integration of People of Determination
DEWA organised its Gathering for Happiness and Integration of People of Determination at its headquarters, coinciding with the Arab Day for People with Disability. 16 federal and local government organisations, as well as centres for people of determination from across the UAE, took part in the event. People of Determination shared their skills in a number of national and traditional activities, as well as exhibiting and selling their handicrafts, paintings, and other handmade products.
Sponsoring AccessAbilities Expo
Each year, DEWA sponsors many initiatives that support integrating and including people of determination. DEWA sponsors the annual AccessAbilities Expo, which provides a platform for government organisations to learn about the latest technologies, solutions and smart services, provided by international organisations.
Awards and recognitions
DEWA received many local and international awards in CSR, including the Princess Haya Award for Special Education (PHASE). PHASE was established by Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create a competitive environment that provides best practices in educating and rehabilitating special needs individuals according to the highest international standards and distinguished quality programmes that ensure successful results. DEWA also received the MVO8000 in CSR, becoming the first government organisation in Dubai to receive this global recognition.
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