The Social Affairs Department in Madinah has called on the relevant
authorities and imams to spread awareness among parents of special needs
children not to misuse special vehicles and other facilities that were
extended to them by the government.
The department sought action after it was found that parents were using these special vehicles meant for their children for other purposes such as transporting fodder for livestock. The Islamic Affairs Department said it was willing to set up facilities for people with disabilities but it requires an official letter from the Social Affairs Department.
So far, 94 persons with various disabilities in Madinah have been given cars with fittings according to specific individual needs. Among them are people who suffered paralytic attacks. Before handing over the car, the department goes into the medical as well as family and financial backgrounds of the families of disabled persons. The authorities also take into consideration the place where the person lives — city or village — before handing over the cars.
A counselor at the department, Ahmad Al-Sinani, said the process of distributing cars to parents of special needs persons was still on, and at least one such car is given away every week. The cars are registered in the name of the special needs person, he said, adding that some parents even misuse the financial assistance extended to the special needs children by the government.
“They do not spend the money on their disabled children, who are sometime seen wandering around in tattered clothes in public places such as hospitals and markets. Some parents use the disabled child’s car for personal trips and some even use it as taxi to ferry pilgrims,” he said.
Al-Sinani said that parents of children with special needs should realize that the financial assistance, car and other facilities such as housemaids and personal drivers are provided only to serve the disabled person.
The department sought action after it was found that parents were using these special vehicles meant for their children for other purposes such as transporting fodder for livestock. The Islamic Affairs Department said it was willing to set up facilities for people with disabilities but it requires an official letter from the Social Affairs Department.
So far, 94 persons with various disabilities in Madinah have been given cars with fittings according to specific individual needs. Among them are people who suffered paralytic attacks. Before handing over the car, the department goes into the medical as well as family and financial backgrounds of the families of disabled persons. The authorities also take into consideration the place where the person lives — city or village — before handing over the cars.
A counselor at the department, Ahmad Al-Sinani, said the process of distributing cars to parents of special needs persons was still on, and at least one such car is given away every week. The cars are registered in the name of the special needs person, he said, adding that some parents even misuse the financial assistance extended to the special needs children by the government.
“They do not spend the money on their disabled children, who are sometime seen wandering around in tattered clothes in public places such as hospitals and markets. Some parents use the disabled child’s car for personal trips and some even use it as taxi to ferry pilgrims,” he said.
Al-Sinani said that parents of children with special needs should realize that the financial assistance, car and other facilities such as housemaids and personal drivers are provided only to serve the disabled person.
Source : Arab News , 6th July 2013
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