Under the patronage of his Excellency Sheikh “Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan”, Minster of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the “Don’t let me down” awareness campaign of children with “Down Syndrome” participated in the “ABILITIESme” Conference and Exhibition, which was opened on Monday March (24th) at the “Abu Dhabi National Conference Centre”, and will continue for three days.
The “Don’t let me down” campaign has seen personal support from Sheikh “Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan”, to send their message that “Down Syndrome” children are able to change the world, to work and learn, to acquire high ranks in society, since they are creative and innovative and need the support of the society. The campaign is a natural response to the great support his Excellency offers to provide all support provisions to this category and to their families, to enhance the contribution of the government authorities and the civil society in enhancing their social incorporation, and the expansion of their abilities in addition to develop the academic capabilities and physical skills of children with “Down Syndrome” and to reset the academic excellence criteria in school and university curricula to be in line with their capabilities.
This campaign came within the “ABILITIESme” Conference and Exhibition in line “World Down Syndrome Day” which is on March (21st) every year. The conference and exhibition embody the attention the UAE gives to persons with special needs, protects their rights, and gives them opportunities to develop their abilities to the highest levels, to incorporate them fully into society to be active participants and enjoy total equality in the all activities in the State. The campaign included many activities like drawing workshops for children with “Down Syndrome” and normal kids, “Don’t Let Me Down” Council, which is an awareness, cultural and entertainment council where a popular, famous character meets with “Down Syndrome” children, in addition to increasing the awareness of families and the society through consultations offered by volunteer specialists in the campaign.
The campaign was founded by “Mira Al Thaheri” a student at “Zayed University” in “Abu Dhabi”, it was launched as her graduation project, and “Metha Al Mansouri”, who was seeking with all the campaign managers to create an association for patients with “Down syndrome” in the Emirate of “Abu Dhabi” through the year (2014), this campaign has received active participation where the number of volunteers reached (182) and (42) volunteers were approved. The number of kids who participated in the morning session of the first day reached (120) “Down Syndrome” and normal children with participation from the “Future Centre for Special Needs” and “Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs” and others.
