Emirates Down Syndrome Association

What Emirates Down Syndrome Association does

Emirates Down Syndrome Association (EDSA) is a non-profit charitable association (جمعية) founded in 2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, registered under UAE law and operating under the patronage of UAE leadership. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of services for individuals with Down syndrome of all ages and their families, organized across six core service lines delivered primarily through its Development Center in Al Qusais on Baghdad Street: Educational Rehabilitation Services, Allied/Therapeutic Support Services, Early Intervention, Family Support, Sports and Arts Programs, and Vocational Habilitation and Employment. Additional programs include the Self-Advocacy Program run in partnership with Down Syndrome International (UK), the EDSA Art Store selling artwork created by beneficiaries under volunteer supervision, and the recurring Inarat Virtual Forum covering health and wellness topics.

The underlying service platform combines physical infrastructure with an online EDSA Platform for membership registration, session booking, and progress reporting. Notable specialized programs include the UAE Down Syndrome Hospitality Academy — the first academic program of its kind in the UAE, established via MoU with Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (Jumeirah) in 2022 and expanded in October 2024 with the launch of the Creative Kitchen production line — and the UAE Robot Club, established in 2018 as the first such program for people with Down syndrome. The association also operates Bocce championships that have run consecutively since 2008 and hosted the 14th World Down Syndrome Congress Dubai 2021, the first World Down Syndrome Congress held in the Middle East and North Africa.

EDSA's business model is donor- and sponsor-funded rather than revenue-generating from beneficiaries. Operating revenue is sourced from diamond corporate sponsors (Union Coop, Isa Salim Al Qariti Charity Foundation), insurance partners (Abu Dhabi National Insurance, Dubai National Insurance), government partners (Community Development Authority, Ministry of Community Development, Dubai Sports Council), international federation partners (Special Olympics UAE, Asia-Pacific Down Syndrome Federation, Down Syndrome International), and individual donations. EDSA is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Manal Jaroor, with Nawal Al Nasser as Vice Chairperson, Salma Kanaan as Executive Director, and Coach Mahmoud Atwan as Team Coach since 2008. The organization is not publicly traded and does not disclose financial results.

Name

Emirates Down Syndrome Association

Legal name

Emirates Down Syndrome Association

Website

https://edsa.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Emirates Down Syndrome Association is a Dubai-based non-profit founded in 2006 that delivers educational rehabilitation, therapeutic, early intervention, family support, sports, arts, and vocational programs for people with Down syndrome and their families in the UAE, funded through sponsorships, partnerships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Support Services (611710), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children (EDACAFAL)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Special education programs
• Therapeutic rehabilitation services
• Early intervention services
• Vocational habilitation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Emirates Down Syndrome Association (EDSA) is a UAE-based non-profit association that provides comprehensive rehabilitation, therapeutic, educational, family support, sports, arts, and vocational services for individuals with Down syndrome through its Development Center in Dubai and an online service-management platform. Service lines include Educational Rehabilitation, Allied/Therapeutic Support (behavioral, sensory integration, speech, occupational), Early Intervention, Family Support, Sports and Arts Programs (Bocce, bowling, robotics, art), and Vocational Habilitation including the UAE Down Syndrome Hospitality Academy.

Product overview

Emirates Down Syndrome Association (EDSA) is a non-profit organization providing a comprehensive suite of support services for individuals with Down syndrome and their families in the UAE. The EDSA Platform serves as the association's digital hub for membership registration, session booking, and progress reporting. Service offerings are organized across the Development Center and include: Educational Rehabilitation Services, Allied/Therapeutic Support Services, Early Intervention, Family Support, Sports and Arts Programs, and Vocational Habilitation and Employment. Notable programs include the UAE Down Syndrome Hospitality Academy (the first academic program of its kind in the UAE, in partnership with Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management — Jumeirah), a Self-Advocacy Program in partnership with Down Syndrome International (DSI), an Art Store featuring artworks by individuals with Down syndrome, and the annual Inarat Virtual Forum. EDSA also hosts the World Down Syndrome Congress, held in Dubai in 2021 for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Educational Rehabilitation Services (الخدمات التأهيلية التعليمية) Habilitation educational services delivered through dedicated classrooms at the EDSA Development Center, supporting academic and developmental progress for individuals with Down syndrome.
• Allied/Therapeutic Support Services (الخدمات العلاجية المساندة) Therapeutic and allied health services delivered by qualified specialists across multiple disciplines, including behavioral therapy, sensory integration, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and special education sessions.
• Early Intervention (التدخل المبكر) Early intervention services for infants and young children with Down syndrome, providing developmental support from birth through the early childhood years.
• Family Support (دعم الأسر) Family support services including counseling, guidance during pregnancy and birth, specialized training workshops, and resources for parents, siblings, and caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome.
• Sports and Arts Programs (البرامج الرياضية والفنية) Sports and arts programs including Bocce tournaments, bowling, robotics, photography, and painting, designed to develop physical fitness, motor skills, creativity, and competitive participation for individuals with Down syndrome.
• Vocational Habilitation and Employment (التأهيل المهني والتشغيل) - UAE Down Syndrome Hospitality Academy Vocational rehabilitation and employment programs including the UAE Down Syndrome Hospitality Academy - the first such academic program in the UAE - offering adapted training in cooking techniques, food service, and housekeeping in partnership with Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.
• Self-Advocacy Program (برنامج المناصرة الذاتية) Self-advocacy program run in partnership with Down Syndrome International (DSI) UK, training individuals with Down syndrome to speak up for their rights, needs, and aspirations.
• EDSA Art Store (متجرنا) An online store featuring paintings and artworks created by individuals with Down syndrome under the supervision of volunteer visual artist Dr. Najat Makki, providing income-generating opportunities for artists with Down syndrome.

Quantifiable outcome

• 105 athletes participated in 16th UAE Bocce Championship 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Dubai Charity AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025Strategic cooperation and partnership agreement signed to unify efforts and build a common framework for exchanging experiences and resources between both parties, supporting joint projects in education, rehabilitation, and community integration for people with Down syndrome.
• Special Olympics UAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration for organizing Bocce championships and sports programs for people with Down syndrome. Special Olympics UAE provides a platform for champions to participate in local and international competitions and promotes sports activities.
• Community Development Authority (CDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched Sanad Tourist Card initiative for visitors with disabilities. CDA is the regulatory body supporting the association's mission and initiatives under Dubai's inclusive policies.
• Al Jalila FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for awareness about heart diseases for people with Down syndrome - first initiative in UAE using AI technology for early cardiac diagnosis.
• Isa Salim Al Qariti Charity FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor supporting sports activities and champion achievements. Provides ongoing support for association's sports programs.
• Union CoopmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of association's activities. Provides financial support for sustainable initiatives, education, and sports programs. Major supporter of the Development Center.
• Ministry of Community DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner supporting association's activities and initiatives for people of determination.
• Dubai Sports CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body supporting sports activities and championships organized by the association.
• Abu Dhabi National Insurance (ADNIC)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting association's activities and programs.
• Dubai National InsurancemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting association's activities and programs.
• Prime HospitalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHealthcare partner supporting association's medical services and health programs.
• Swiss Hotel Al GhurairmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for annual hospitality training and events support. Hotel hosts annual graduation ceremony for vocational training graduates and has provided over 12 years of support.
• Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (Jumeirah)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst program in UAE for people with Down syndrome, offering adapted courses in cooking techniques, food service, and housekeeping. First academic partnership of its kind.
• Mohammed bin Rashid Housing EstablishmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed during International Disability Expo to cooperate on community service and disability awareness.
• Jannah Hotels & Resorts (Edge Creekside)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted Self-Advocates gathering for people with Down syndrome, showcasing commitment to community responsibility.
• Emaar PropertiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partnership for Burj Khalifa lighting on World Down Syndrome Day. Provides venue support at Dubai Mall for awareness events.
• DP WorldmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter of association's activities and initiatives.
• The Moon GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter of association's activities.
• Shangri-La Hotel DubaimajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual host for Zayed Humanitarian Day breakfast celebration for over 12 years. Supports various initiatives for people with Down syndrome.
• ADNECminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVenue partner for First UAE Games for Special Olympics in bowling.
• Dubai PolicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnabling People of Determination Council member. Supports self-advocacy program and community integration activities.
• Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner participating in Robot Championship.
• Asia-Pacific Down Syndrome FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAE was first Arab country to join federation in 2018. Association participates in annual meetings and shares best practices.
• Down Syndrome International (DSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization collaborating on self-advocacy program since 2019.
• Down Syndrome International (DSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with DSI UK for self-advocacy program launch, part of World Down Syndrome Congress Dubai 2021.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Kuwait Society for the Handicapped: Kuwait-based non-profit delivering rehabilitation, education, and integration services for people with disabilities. Comparable regional Gulf-state non-profit with similar operating model.
• Dubai Center for People of Determination: Government-operated service center providing rehabilitation, education, and vocational services for people of determination in Dubai. Competes for the same beneficiary base in the same geography.
• Saudi Down Syndrome Society: Saudi Arabia-based non-profit serving people with Down syndrome. Most direct regional peer across the Gulf, operating in a similar cultural and policy environment to the UAE.

Direct peers

• Down Syndrome International (DSI): Global umbrella organization that EDSA partners with for the Self-Advocacy Program. Direct peer as a Down syndrome-specific international advocacy and support network.
• National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC): US-based non-profit delivering education, advocacy, and community programs for people with Down syndrome and their families. Closely comparable mission and program structure to EDSA.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): US-based national non-profit advocating for people with Down syndrome, providing programs, advocacy, and community resources. Closest functional peer to EDSA in terms of mission, though at significantly larger scale.
• Best Buddies International: Global non-profit creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through friendship, employment, and leadership programs. Comparable in mission and lifecycle service approach.
• Global Down Syndrome Foundation: Non-profit focused on research, medical care, education, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome. Comparable multi-pronged model combining healthcare, education, and advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc: US-based non-profit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through advocacy, services, and family support. Broader mission than EDSA but comparable service portfolio.
• Special Olympics UAE: UAE affiliate of Special Olympics providing sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. EDSA is a Bocce championship partner; comparable in disability sports programming but broader in scope than Down syndrome.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emirates-down-syndrome-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Emirates Down Syndrome Association