Dubai: Dubai Foundation for Women & Children (DFWC) celebrates the International Day of Sign Language as a reflection of its commitment to support the People of Determination and in line with its Social Responsibility strategy. The UN General Assembly has declared 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf.

DFWC joined entities in the UAE and the world to mark this international celebration which is held this year under the theme “Sign Languages Unite Us!” in their national sign language and coincides with the International Week of Deaf People, which runs from 23-30 September.

H.E. Sheikha Al Mansoori, Acting Director General of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children said that the UAE is committed to support the people of determination and provide them with a safe community environment, as it believes in their vital role to promote growth while recognizing the efforts and achievements they made at the local and global levels. “Our wise leadership adopted a national policy for empowering people of determination, providing them with all the tools and capabilities that help them overcome any challenges in life”, she added.

Al Mansoori noted that H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is the first to change the name of people with disabilities to “People of Determination” in recognition of their role in building our country and ensure the prosperity of the society.

HE Al Mansoori said: “The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children celebrates this occasion to showcase its keenness to support and empower people of determination through various services and facilities. We have made a new achievement this August as Dubai Executive Council listed DFWAC’s application as the best smart application amongst the list of the best institutions in terms of best accessibility of smart applications supporting the needs of People of Determination 2021”. She confirmed that the entity follows the path of the wise leadership to support and empower the people of determination as part of the UAE Centennial Plan which aims to build the capabilities of all society members, including people of determination, and enable them to prove themselves in all sectors and play an active role in nation building.

The UAE Cabinet has issued Resolution No. 38 of 2018 regarding the adoption of the Emirati Sign Language Dictionary, which is the first UAE-language reference dictionary for the UAE dialect, and a unified reference language people with hearing disabilities in the UAE.