"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."

Make a difference Today

The idea of establishing a center to serve the needs of people with physical and mental dissabilities took form in the eighties. Through the endeavours of the board of Governers, the center that started with five students has expanded over the years to serve the needs of an increased number of students.

The management and staff of Dubai Center for Special Needs seek to improve the quality of life of persons with dissabilities of all ages and their families by:

• promoting their independence, productivity, inclusion, empowerment and social participation in integrated community settings.
• Promoting high-quality, effective community-based programs and social support services to individuals and their families.
• Promoting the prevention of disabilities through training, public awareness and services.
• Providing advocasy, inter-disiplinary training, technical assistance and information dissemination to accomplish the aims given above.

The center is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Director, Dr.Mahshid Salehi, a qualified Child and family Psychologist, who personally tends to the administration of the center and the running of both the therapy departments and educational programs. The center's aim is not only to provide children with special needs with the best education possible but also to prove that it can, and should be done.

For more information about the organisation, please contact Dubai Center for Special Needs at:

Being a charitable organization, the Center relies heavily on the caring and generosity of individuals and companies throughout the community for support.