Understanding the rights and legal protections available to special students is essential for ensuring they receive the education and support they deserve. It is important for parents and guardians of a child with special needs to have knowledge of the legal rights of such a child as well as their legal protection that enables them to receive the necessary education for them. 

Let’s learn about legislation that affects special students in the UAE.

Overview of Legal Rights for Children with Special Needs in the UAE

It says that the UAE has done much on offering inclusiveness and equality to all children and protection of their rights of children with learning disabilities. There is also the children’s rights act and other legislations put in place in order to help such children also attain quality education, support and a secure teaching environment. Here are some of the key legal rights for children with special needs in the UAE.

Right to Education

The UAE’s Constitution has provisions that ensure that every child has a right to education regardless of his or her disability. This right is further supported by the UAE’s obligations in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities CRPD especially in Article 24 on Education.

Federal Law No. 29 of 2006

This law can be considered as one of the most significant legal documents within the framework of protection of rights of disabled people in the UAE. This way it guarantees disabled people’s right to education, health care, employment, and other public services. By law, this calls for reasonable adjustments and accommodations for students with special needs in nature in schools and other institutions of learning.

Dubai’s Inclusive Education Policy Framework

The Inclusive Education Policy Framework which has been adopted in Dubai, establishes the ideals and measures which have to be followed to promote an inclusive learning environment. Requirements of schools include a supportive learning environment, IEP and service delivery for special needs children.

Ministry of Education’s Policies

Some of the policies applied in the UAE Ministry of Education to enhance inclusion are policies of inclusive education throughout the country. These policies mandate schools to: a) find out children with special needs, b) meet the child’s special needs and c) integrate the child within the school.

Understanding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Although IDEA is a law of the United States it has some principles that will help address the global advocacy for inclusive education and students’ rights. IDEA also calls for provision of equal education for disabled children in FAPE and in LRE wherever possible. Here are some key concepts from IDEA that can inform how special education is approached in the UAE. 

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

IDEA guarantees the children with disabilities an education that meets the special needs of each in desperation to the costs of the families of the children with disability. This is the services with special education, related services which can be speech therapy, occupational therapy, and any other special accommodations that the child requires so that he or she can benefit from education.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

IDEA mandates that children with disabilities’ education should be in a least restrictive environment; In simple terms, the child with disability should be in a regular classroom as other children. The aim is to model support in context where the child can join peers and get involved in the social life of the school.

Individualised Education Plan (IEP)

An IEP is a written report which contains details on the IEP for that child with special needs in school. It is a result of teamwork with parents, teachers and specialists so that the child can receive the attention that they deserve. As noted earlier, IDEA is not the law that applies to the UAE but many of IDEA’s elements are found in the UAE SE. Knowledge of these principles enables parents to fight for their child’s rights and also collaborate with schools to have the best plans in supporting the child.

How to Advocate for Your Child’s Rights

Parents’ involvement with the rights of their child in the UAE means having knowledge of credit civil liberties, operational outreach with teachers, and aggressively pursuing an appropriate set of help for the child. Here are some steps to help you advocate for your child’s rights.

Educate Yourself

Make yourself acquainted with the UAE laws and policies related to special education. Knowledge of your child’s rights will enable you to fight for them and ensure that they get the assistance that they are supposed to receive.

Communicate with the School

It is important to effectively and continuously communicate with your child’s teachers, school staff and any persons involved in the education of your child. Describe your child and his or her learning profile, then create a plan based on that child’s needs and abilities.

Request an Individualised Education Plan (IEP)

If you're a child with some form of disability, ask for an IEP from the school. This should include specific objectives, provisions and the services to be provided to your child during his or her IEP. As a parent, be as engaged in creating the IEP and in the process of its revision to address your child’s requirements.

Seek Professional Support

If expertise is required then it may be appropriate to consult educational psychologists, speech or occupational therapists. These specialists can make useful forms of assessment and advice that is very useful in developing your child’s education plan.

Join Support Groups

Parent-to-parent networking can help fill the emotional, informational and instrumental support void of families of children with special needs. It can also alleviate some of the strain of parenting, but also become a source of information on your child’s rights and services.

Know When to Seek Legal Advice

If you have concerns about obtaining the services that your child requires do not hesitate to consult a lawyer knowledgeable about the laws in special education. Consult legal personnel because they can assist you to understand difficult issues and fight for the rights of your child.

This was all about rights and legal protections of special students in the UAE. Learning these legalities can aid in safeguarding the rights of special children. That said, the key principles of IDEA and therefore fight for the rights of your child in order to ensure that the child is able to fulfill their potential in school and in life. The UAE has made education for all a priority and as a parent or caregiver you play a critical role in its realisation for your child.