Abu dhabi: Zayed Authority for People of Determination celebrated the graduation of 140 parents and caregivers from the first cohort of the Professional Empowerment Diploma and the 'Sharifa Yateem Peer Support Programme.' The ceremony was held at Ahmed Mangoush Theatre at the Authority's headquarters, attended by senior officials, specialists, and families of the graduates, emphasizing the Authority's commitment to empowering families as active partners in community support systems.
According to Emirates News Agency, the ceremony marked the graduation of 110 participants from the Professional Empowerment Diploma and 30 graduates from the 'Sharifa Yateem Peer Support Programme.' This milestone concluded a three-month training focused on equipping caregivers and parents with essential skills and knowledge to support their children with disabilities, aligning with UAE's national priorities to enhance quality of life and family cohesion.
The Professional Empowerment Diploma concentrated on understanding disability concepts, developmental needs, behavior modification strategies, and building a supportive family environment. It also aimed at enhancing psychological resilience and reducing emotional stress for families, contributing positively to family stability and child development.
The 'Sharifa Yateem Peer Support Programme' aimed to reinforce experience-based community support by preparing qualified caregivers to provide psychological and knowledge-based support to peers, fostering sustainable community support networks and strengthening family cohesion.
Abdullah Abdul Ali Al Humaidan, Director General of Zayed Authority for People of Determination, highlighted the significance of this graduation as a milestone in institutionalizing family partnership concepts, transforming parents into active partners in rehabilitation and inclusion processes, and enhancing the quality of life for People of Determination.
Dr. Alya Ahmed Al Shehhi, Senior Social Worker and Project Lead, emphasized that the diploma was designed to address family needs and challenges associated with disability, while the 'Sharifa Yateem Peer Support Programme' prepared caregivers to provide effective community support.
