UAE DISABILITY ACT (Federal Law No.29/2006)
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In November 2006 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal Government passed UAE Disability Act (Federal Law No.29/2006) to protect the rights of people with disabilities and special needs. 
 
One of the principle of this new Law requires that people with disabilities and special needs must be provided with equitable access and related facilities into all new property development projects.

The UAE Ministry of Social Affairs held a Conference and workshop in Dubai on 21 June 2007 to commemorate the activation of the UAE Disability Act (Federal Law No.29/2006) on that date.
 
Australian Disabled Access Consultants was invited to attend the Conference where Managing Director, Wayne Boyle was the keynote speaker.

The Minister of Social Affairs, Her Excellency Mariam Mohammad Khalfan Al Roomi personally honoured Mr Boyle  and Australian Disabled Access Consultants for their participation and commitment to the UAE Federal Government’s social planning strategies for people with disabilities and special needs within the UAE.
 
Australian Disabled Access Consultants discussed issues relating to the physical access and mobility within the built environment for people with disabilities and special needs and how both government agencies and the private sector were partners in the field to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities and special needs were recognized and maintained.
 
Mr Boyle was interviewed by DUBAI ONE on the role of the disability access and mobility consultant with respect of the rights of people with disabilities and special needs and the role of the Emirate and Municipality Governments to enforce the principles of UAE Disability Act (Federal Law No.29/2006).
 
People with special needs have the same rights and privileges afforded to the able-bodied children within our community.

Mr Boyle said; “We fully support the Federal Government’s social planning initiative to protect the rights of people with disabilities and special needs and will assist with the building design and construction industry to ensure that all new building projects within the UAE will have the best international practice design guidelines to support UAE Disability Act (Federal Law No.29/2006).

Building designers, construction companies, building owners and managers must ensure that access and related facilities are provided for people with disabilities and special needs, and ensure that the access and facilities are available at all times maintained at all times."