Community Development Authority signs agreement to publish books on “El Kayt” role models

The Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai will publish the success stories of three members of its “El Kayt Programme” for employing people with disabilities (PWD) in order to highlight the exceptional efforts of these members and inspire others to achieve similar triumphs.

The Authority signed agreements with Kuttab Publishing today to publish three books based on the stories of El Kayt members Zainab Abdulhameed Al Teneiji, Essa Saeed Al Khourousi and Mohammed Rashed Hamad Salem Balsaqah Al Ghafli.

Zainab Abdulhameed Al Teneiji is currently employed by Paris Gallery and Essa Saeed Al Khourousi works in the Supply chain Department of Emirates Flight Catering, while Mohammed Rashed Hamad Salem Balsaqah Al Ghafli graduated with a degree in Mass Communications from the Sharjah University and is currently working at CDA.

El Kayt Programme aims to positively change the lives of people with disabilities by empowering them to find meaningful employment and advance in their chosen careers. The CDA initiative helps young Emiratis – both male and female – in overcoming their disabilities and contributing to national development as valuable members of the community.

The services provided for El Kayt members include assessment, rehabilitation, training and eventually the opportunity of employment with the appropriate job modification and the needed support. El Kayt also helps members to ensure sustainability of their employment by providing follow up observations and counseling services to the individuals as well as their families and the employers.

His Excellency Khaled Al Kamda, Director General of CDA, said that publishing the successful journey of the three El Kayt members in book format will help change perceptions on disabilities and motivate people with disabilities to overcome their limitations.

“El Kayt reflects CDA’s commitment to promoting social inclusion and supporting people with disabilities. We have now discovered a few outstanding talents among El Kayt members who set shining examples for the entire community of people with disabilities. The three brave young Emiratis whose success stories we are now chronicling have in fact demonstrated how we translate our commitment into empowerment and sustainable employment for persons with disabilities,” Al Kamda added.

“CDA has decided to distribute the books among organisations concerned, including special needs centres, as part of creating awareness on social empowerment and inclusion. The books will also be sold in the market with five per cent of the revenues going into social care initiatives for persons with disabilities. The publication date has been so set to release one book every three months” said Amna Al Obaidli Manager, Community Care at CDA.