In the UAE, People of Determination is the official term used to refer to people with disabilities. It recognises their capabilities, achievements and participation in society rather than defining individuals only by a disability.
The term was announced in April 2016 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It reflects the UAE’s wider commitment to creating accessible communities in which People of Determination can participate in education, employment, travel, healthcare, recreation and everyday life.
However, meaningful inclusion involves more than terminology. It requires accessible buildings, reliable transport, suitable mobility equipment, inclusive digital services and support that considers the individual’s daily routine.
This guide explains the support available for People of Determination in the UAE and how Gilani Mobility contributes through practical mobility and accessibility solutions.
What Does “People of Determination” Mean in the UAE?
People of Determination is the UAE’s preferred term for individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, developmental, communication, learning or psychological disabilities.
The term encourages communities to focus on the individual’s abilities, choices and right to participate. It does not mean that every person has the same requirements. Someone who uses a wheelchair may have very different accessibility needs from someone with a visual, hearing, intellectual or communication disability.
For this reason, accessibility solutions should be based on the person’s actual environment, mobility, transfers, transport requirements and daily activities-not simply on a disability label.
How Does the UAE Support People of Determination?
The UAE’s National Policy for Empowering People of Determination is built around six main areas:
- Health and rehabilitation
- Education
- Vocational rehabilitation and employment
- Accessibility and outreach
- Social protection and family empowerment
- Participation in public life, culture and sports
The policy aims to create an inclusive society in which People of Determination and their families can access suitable services and facilities.
Federal and local authorities provide different forms of support. Eligibility, documentation and benefits can vary according to nationality, residency, emirate, disability classification and the service being requested.
Education and employment
People of Determination have rights relating to inclusive education, vocational training and employment. UAE policy supports access to suitable learning environments, assistive technologies, qualified specialists and workplace participation.
Accessible government and digital services
Accessibility also applies to information and online services. The UAE’s National Digital Accessibility Policy supports more accessible government websites, applications, software and digital interfaces for People of Determination and senior citizens.
Accessible transport and public facilities
Accessible transport may include wheelchair-compatible buses, taxis, dedicated parking, ramps, lifts and appropriately designed public facilities.
In Abu Dhabi, for example, official transport information states that public buses are wheelchair accessible and that trained drivers and equipped taxis are available for eligible passengers.
Dubai Municipality also provides accessibility features such as designated parking, accessible restrooms, entrance ramps and elevators at relevant public destinations.
People of Determination Cards and Benefits
People should check the latest eligibility criteria directly with the appropriate government authority rather than relying on general online lists.
UAE People of Determination services
The UAE Government’s official People of Determination portal provides information about protection, education, employment, healthcare, rehabilitation and government support.
Sanad Card in Dubai
Dubai’s Community Development Authority provides the Sanad Card for eligible citizens, residents and tourists in Dubai. It can provide access to services, facilities and benefits offered by participating government and private entities.
The requirements and validity period differ for UAE citizens, Dubai residents, residents of other emirates and tourists. Benefits can also change, so applicants should review the current official conditions before applying.
What Does Accessibility Look Like in Everyday Life?
Accessibility is not achieved simply by placing a ramp at an entrance. It means identifying and reducing the barriers that prevent a person from completing an everyday activity safely and comfortably.
For a wheelchair user, those barriers might include:
- A doorway that is too narrow
- Steps at the entrance of a home
- Difficulty transferring into a vehicle
- A wheelchair that does not provide suitable support
- Insufficient space to turn inside a bathroom
- An inaccessible upper floor
- No suitable transport for appointments
- Equipment that cannot be repaired locally
The appropriate solution depends on the user, the property, the vehicle and the activity being performed.
How Gilani Mobility Supports People of Determination Across the UAE
Gilani Mobility is a private mobility and accessibility solutions provider. We do not issue government cards, determine eligibility for public benefits or replace healthcare professionals.
Our role is to help individuals, families, caregivers, organisations and transport providers identify practical equipment and modifications that may reduce everyday accessibility barriers.
Gilani Mobility serves customers across the UAE with mobility equipment, rental services, home-access products, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, vehicle modifications and maintenance support. The UAE operation forms part of the Gilani Engineering group, whose engineering work began in Australia in 2011.
1. Manual and electric wheelchairs
Different users require different levels of portability, support, control and assistance.
A manual wheelchair may be appropriate for someone who can self-propel or who normally travels with a caregiver.
An electric wheelchair in the UAE may support users who need powered movement, attendant-control options, longer travel distances or specialised seating functions.
Factors that should be considered include:
- User weight and body measurements
- Seat width and depth
- Postural support
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Folding and transportation requirements
- Battery range
- Control position
- Caregiver requirements
- Availability of servicing and spare parts
For complex seating, pressure-management or postural requirements, the equipment decision should also involve a qualified occupational therapist, physiotherapist or other appropriate healthcare professional.
2. Mobility scooters
Electric mobility scooters can support people who are able to transfer onto a scooter seat and safely operate the steering controls.
They may be useful for shopping centres, neighbourhood travel, large residential communities and accessible tourism. However, a mobility scooter is not automatically suitable for every wheelchair user.
Before selecting one, consider turning space, terrain, travel distance, storage, battery charging and whether the user can safely transfer on and off the seat.
3. Short-term mobility rentals
Buying equipment may not always be necessary.
Gilani Mobility provides wheelchair rental in Dubai and the UAE for visitors, temporary mobility requirements, post-surgery recovery and families who want to try a suitable type of equipment before purchasing.
Mobility scooter rental may also be suitable for holidays, exhibitions, shopping trips or other short-term requirements.
Customers should provide details such as the user’s approximate weight, rental period, intended location, transport requirements and whether a manual or powered option is preferred.
4. Wheelchair-accessible transport
Standard vehicles are not always suitable for passengers who need to remain seated in their wheelchair during transport.
Gilani Mobility offers wheelchair-accessible vehicle rental and transport for hospital appointments, airport transfers, family outings, business travel and other journeys across the UAE.
Booking information should include:
- Wheelchair type and dimensions
- Total passenger numbers
- Pickup and destination
- Manual or electric wheelchair
- Passenger transfer requirements
- One-way or return journey
- Whether a driver is required
Providing these details helps the team confirm whether the available vehicle and access system are suitable.
5. Wheelchair-accessible vehicle modifications
For individuals, families and organisations requiring a long-term solution, wheelchair-accessible vehicle modifications may include lowered-floor conversions, ramps, wheelchair restraint systems, platform lifts, transfer seats and other access equipment.
Gilani Mobility also supplies the G24 NoRamp® conversion, which uses a lowered internal floor instead of an external access ramp. This can help address situations where limited parking space makes a conventional ramp difficult to deploy.
Vehicle suitability must be assessed individually. The wheelchair dimensions, passenger position, available headroom, restraint configuration and vehicle use should all be considered before a conversion is selected.
6. Adaptive driving solutions
Some People of Determination may be able to drive with suitable vehicle adaptations.
Adaptive driving solutions can include hand controls, steering aids, pedal modifications, transfer seats and other systems selected according to the driver’s abilities and vehicle.
These adaptations should be professionally assessed, installed and tested. Drivers must also comply with the applicable licensing, training, medical and transport-authority requirements in the UAE.
7. Accessible homes
Accessibility inside the home can significantly affect the user and caregiver.
Gilani Mobility supplies solutions including:
- Wheelchair platform lifts
- Stairlifts
- Wheelchair ramps
- Grab rails
- Bathroom and shower aids
- Patient-transfer equipment
- Medical and adjustable beds
The correct solution depends on the property layout, available space, floor levels, transfer method and the user’s current and anticipated requirements.
A site assessment should be completed before installing permanent access equipment.
8. Repairs and after-sales support
Mobility equipment must remain safe and dependable after purchase.
Gilani Mobility provides mobility equipment repair and maintenance for products such as electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other supported equipment.
Customers should retain their product information, warranty documents and service records. Any unusual noise, damaged component, reduced braking performance, charging problem or steering issue should be inspected rather than ignored.
How to Choose the Right Mobility or Accessibility Solution
Before choosing equipment, consider the activity that the person is currently unable to perform safely or comfortably.
Ask the following questions:
Who will use the equipment?
Record the user’s measurements, approximate weight, physical abilities, transfer method and whether a caregiver will assist.
Where will it be used?
Consider indoor space, door widths, lifts, pavements, ramps, sand, uneven surfaces and the distance travelled each day.
How will it be transported?
Check whether the equipment must fold, fit inside a vehicle or be secured while the user remains seated.
Is the requirement temporary or long-term?
A rental may be more practical for short-term recovery or travel. Purchase or modification may be more appropriate for regular use.
Who will maintain it?
Check the warranty, availability of replacement parts, battery support, servicing and local repair options.
For help comparing suitable options, customers can book a mobility assessment with Gilani Mobility.
Inclusion Is More Than Providing Equipment
Mobility equipment can remove a physical barrier, but inclusion also depends on how people communicate, design spaces and provide services.
Individuals and organisations can contribute by:
- Speaking directly to the person rather than only to a caregiver
- Asking before providing physical assistance
- Keeping accessible entrances and parking spaces clear
- Providing information in accessible formats
- Considering wheelchair turning space and doorway width
- Including People of Determination in planning and decision-making
- Maintaining ramps, lifts and accessibility equipment
- Avoiding assumptions about what a person can or cannot do
The most useful question is often: “What would make this activity more accessible for you?”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does People of Determination mean?
People of Determination is the official UAE term for people with disabilities. It recognises their capabilities, contributions and right to participate fully in society.
Who introduced the term People of Determination?
The term was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in April 2016.
What support is available for People of Determination in the UAE?
Support may include legal protection, inclusive education, employment programmes, healthcare, rehabilitation, accessible transport, government services, social assistance and accessibility initiatives. Eligibility depends on the person and the relevant authority.
Can tourists apply for People of Determination services in Dubai?
Eligible tourists can apply for the Dubai Sanad Card under the conditions established by the Community Development Authority. The tourist card has separate documentation and validity requirements.
Does Gilani Mobility issue People of Determination cards?
No. Government cards and benefits are administered by the relevant UAE authorities. Gilani Mobility provides mobility equipment, rentals, access solutions, vehicle modifications and maintenance services.
Can I rent a wheelchair in Dubai?
Yes. Gilani Mobility offers manual and electric wheelchair rentals with daily, weekly and monthly options, subject to availability, rental conditions and the user’s requirements.
Can a wheelchair user travel without transferring to a car seat?
A suitably configured wheelchair-accessible vehicle may allow the passenger to remain in their wheelchair. The wheelchair, restraint system and vehicle layout must be checked for compatibility before travel.
Does Gilani Mobility provide services outside Dubai?
Gilani Mobility serves customers across the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Service availability, delivery and assessment arrangements may vary by location.
Building a More Accessible UAE
The UAE’s approach to People of Determination recognises that inclusion requires participation, accessible services and the removal of barriers.
Government policies establish the wider framework, while families, employers, educators, transport providers, property owners and accessibility companies each have practical responsibilities.
At Gilani Mobility, our contribution is to help People of Determination, older adults, families and caregivers find mobility and access solutions that are appropriate for their everyday environment.
Rather than beginning with a product, we recommend beginning with the person, the activity and the barrier that needs to be addressed.
For support with wheelchairs, mobility scooters, rentals, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, home accessibility or equipment maintenance, contact Gilani Mobility or arrange an individual assessment.
