• 
• 
• 

The Student Activities Department at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) organized an event to mark World Down Syndrome Day. It was called ‘Take my Hand’ and was held on the morning of Tuesday 10^th March, 2015 in front of the Student Activities Building. The event was attended by UAEU faculty and students, students from the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, representatives from the Al Ain Center for Care and Rehabilitation and also from the Al Ain Centre for Autism.

The event aimed to integrate children with Down Syndrome and people with disabilities into mainstream society by showcasing their talents in education and handicrafts and encouraging communication between those with disabilities and other members of the local community. Highlighting their educational and vocational achievements helps to spread awareness throughout the community of the work undertaken by people with disabilities such as Down Syndrome.

UAEU’s Assessment of Students with Special Needs Department participated fully, as did the Rehabilitation and Early Intervention Department and the Language and Communication Disorders Department. The latter is concerned with speech problems such as stuttering and they offered free checks to everyone. The Talent and Excellence Department conducted tests for children with disabilities as well. Students from the Al Ain Centre for Autism took part by singing songs, while the Al Ain Center for Care and Rehabilitation organized a military parade by students with Down Syndrome.