The tremendous work and dedication shown by people who work for special needs children have gone unnoticed and the Princess Haya Award for Special Education seeks to recognise their efforts in the field, Mohammad Al Emmadi, head of the executive committee for the award, told Gulf News.
"In Dubai, for a long time now, there was no award to recognise people who work with special needs kids. Unfortunately no one knows about the tremendous effort they put in for these children and [how they] take the burden away from the families by giving their time. It is the vision of... Princess Haya to reward their good work and say ‘Thank you' in a big way," Al Emmadi said.
The executive committee has announced the second annual award for 2009-2010 and nominations are invited from 25 different categories, which range from specialists and institutions from across the GCC and some Arab countries too.
There are four broad categories, namely Specialist Excellence, Institutional Excellence, Corporate Responsibility Excellence and Family Excellence under which awards for Outstanding Special Needs Educator, Outstanding Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Music Therapist, Outstanding Special Needs Project, Director-General, Outstanding Campaign, Fundraising Campaign, Outstanding Supporter and Outstanding Family of Special Needs will be conferred.
Applications can be submitted between December 15 and January 15.
Al Emmadi said a nine-member jury will shortlist applicants and conduct one-on-one interviews before selecting the winners.
"More than just recognising the people who work in the field, we hope that it will help in creating more awareness and social responsibility. We need more funding and more specialised people in the field," added Al Emmadi.
Child development
He said the award for the Outstanding Family of a Special Needs Child was to encourage families to engage themselves in the development of their children.
"Some families think that their child is the responsibility of the centre once they are enrolled with us. But there are some families who engage themselves in the child's development, and closely cooperate with the centre and bring in innovative ideas. This award will recognise such a family."
Courtesy : Gulf News
"In Dubai, for a long time now, there was no award to recognise people who work with special needs kids. Unfortunately no one knows about the tremendous effort they put in for these children and [how they] take the burden away from the families by giving their time. It is the vision of... Princess Haya to reward their good work and say ‘Thank you' in a big way," Al Emmadi said.
The executive committee has announced the second annual award for 2009-2010 and nominations are invited from 25 different categories, which range from specialists and institutions from across the GCC and some Arab countries too.
There are four broad categories, namely Specialist Excellence, Institutional Excellence, Corporate Responsibility Excellence and Family Excellence under which awards for Outstanding Special Needs Educator, Outstanding Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Music Therapist, Outstanding Special Needs Project, Director-General, Outstanding Campaign, Fundraising Campaign, Outstanding Supporter and Outstanding Family of Special Needs will be conferred.
Applications can be submitted between December 15 and January 15.
Al Emmadi said a nine-member jury will shortlist applicants and conduct one-on-one interviews before selecting the winners.
"More than just recognising the people who work in the field, we hope that it will help in creating more awareness and social responsibility. We need more funding and more specialised people in the field," added Al Emmadi.
Child development
He said the award for the Outstanding Family of a Special Needs Child was to encourage families to engage themselves in the development of their children.
"Some families think that their child is the responsibility of the centre once they are enrolled with us. But there are some families who engage themselves in the child's development, and closely cooperate with the centre and bring in innovative ideas. This award will recognise such a family."
Courtesy : Gulf News