Family responses to the social inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

This paper focuses on findings from a qualitative study of care‐giving Arab Muslim families of children with developmental disabilities in the United Arab Emirates. The perceptions of mothers in relation to family acceptance and social inclusion issues are explored. Parental views of existing provision are also considered with regard to existing services for children with special needs in the region. Findings indicate that, in common with other Middle Eastern countries, social stigma is prevalent and this impacts upon the disabled child as well as the mother. However, this is in turn ameliorated by the influences of religion, which constitute an example of family resilience, in addition to the strides made in social development in this region.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this study and in particular the participating families who gave so generously of their time. In addition, I would like to thank Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al‐Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah City Humanitarian Services, and her colleagues, not forgetting Nahida Seifert for her exemplary translation skills.

Notes

1. Abu‐Habib, L. (1997 , p. 17) gives a fascinating example of how this situation is reversed in that a disabled girl is given employment opportunities not open to her non‐disabled sisters as her disability debars her from being considered eligible for marriage and thus her virtuous reputation is not worth her being cloistered at home.