The Zayed Authority for People of Determination will organise the Khat Wa Khuyoot community art initiative in November, the authority said in an announcement on its official channels. The event will feature a series of creative workshops and experiences that transform shared values into collaborative artistic projects, according to the authority. Participation will include people of determination alongside community members and artists, with activities drawing directly from the principles of the UAE’s founding father. The authority, which operates 16 centres across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, established the programme as part of broader inclusion efforts.
Figures from the Ministry of Family place the UAE’s population of people of determination at approximately 49,000, highlighting the reach of initiatives like Khat Wa Khuyoot. The authority reported that more than 3,100 individuals benefited from its comprehensive assessment and diagnostic services throughout 2025, including 2,052 new cases. These assessments form the foundation for tailored educational, therapeutic and rehabilitation plans delivered at its facilities. In 2024 the organisation achieved employment placements for 80 people of determination through partnerships with public and private entities, its annual summary stated.
Established in 2004 under the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the authority has expanded its vocational training and community engagement activities in the years since. The Khat Wa Khuyoot programme continues that trajectory by emphasising artistic expression as a pathway to social integration, the authority noted. Similar past events organised by the body have included national celebrations and exhibitions showcasing products created by people of determination at venues across the emirate.
The authority’s 2024 milestones also encompassed hosting the first Global Rehabilitation Conference in the Middle East, which concluded with the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration for People of Determination. That document outlined targets for increasing employment rates among the community, according to the organisation’s records. Khat Wa Khuyoot aligns with those objectives by creating opportunities for skill development and public interaction through hands-on artistic collaboration. The initiative will unfold over multiple sessions, though specific dates and venues remain subject to further updates from the authority.
Additional context from the authority shows that its centres deliver services ranging from early intervention for children as young as eight months to adult vocational programmes that prepare participants for the workforce. One recent partnership with medical facilities has expanded access to rehabilitation and even supported business ventures operated by people of determination. Such programmes have contributed to measurable progress in independence and societal participation, the authority’s data indicates. The November event will build on this foundation by inviting wider community involvement in creative activities rooted in Emirati heritage.