Rashid Center for People of Determination

What Rashid Center for People of Determination does

Rashid Center for People of Determination (originally Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre) is a Dubai-based non-profit humanitarian organization established in 1994 that delivers integrated special education and clinical therapy services to children with disabilities aged 4–18, with vocational training extensions for young adults aged 18–25. The center operates a single-site integrated model at Al Barsha 1 in Dubai, combining a tiered school program (Early Years, Middle School, Senior School with Arabic and English tracks and specialized classes including SCAMPs, SMILE, Integrated Learning Groups, and Integrated Sensory Learning groups) with a clinical therapy division offering occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, behaviour support, assistive technology, and an early childhood intervention program for children aged 0–4.5. Enrichment services include music, art, swimming/aquatic therapy, hippo therapy, conductive education, ASDAN-accredited secondary programs, a Smart Unit, an orthotics clinic, a photography studio, a heritage room, library resources, and physical education.

The vocational training arm comprises four workshops (Carpentry, Printing and IT, Gardening, Textile and Baking) that produce handcrafted goods sold through the Souq Rashid marketplace, the Rashid Lounge café, the on-site Student Tuck Shop, and — as of January 2026 — the Santara delivery app. Revenue is drawn from three streams: educational and outpatient therapy fees, workshop product sales, and donations/CSR contributions from individuals, corporate sponsors, and government-aligned organizations such as the Community Development Authority (CDA), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and Emirates Red Crescent. Admissions are referral-driven and prioritized for Emirati families, with CDA approval required for extensions beyond age 18. Leadership is anchored by Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum (Managing Director) and Ahmed Khoury (Founder), supported by a multi-disciplinary clinical and teaching team.

Name

Rashid Center for People of Determination

Legal name

Rashid Center for People of Determination

Website

https://rashidc.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rashid Center for People of Determination is a Dubai-based non-profit (est. 1994) providing integrated special education, multi-disciplinary therapy services, and vocational training to children and young adults with disabilities aged 4–25, with priority admission for Emirati families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Pediatric Therapy Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education Staffing & Contracted Providers (Paras, Therapists, Specialists) (EDAJAKAL), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Pediatric therapy services
• Vocational training programs
• Assistive technology solutions
• Special needs education

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, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Educational and Therapy Services: The center provides quality education and therapy services to children with special needs. Revenue is generated through school placement fees and outpatient therapy services for children aged 4-18, with extended programs for students up to age 25 through vocational workshops.
2. Workshop Product Sales: Students produce items through vocational workshops (carpentry, printing, gardening, textile/baking) that are sold to generate income for the center. Products are sold at exhibitions, through the Rashid Bazaar, and via partnerships like the Santara delivery app.
3. Corporate and Community Support: Ongoing support through corporate social responsibility programs, donations, sponsorships, and volunteer contributions from businesses and individuals. This includes classroom sponsorships, student sponsorships, and equipment donations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Rashid Center for People of Determination operates a single integrated facility in Dubai providing specialized education and therapy services to children with special needs (people of determination) aged 4-18, with vocational training workshops extending support to young adults aged 18-25. Its core offering combines a differentiated school curriculum (Early Years, Middle School, Senior School with Arabic and English tracks) with clinical therapy departments (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, behaviour support, assistive technology, early childhood therapy) and four vocational workshops producing goods sold to external customers.

Product overview

Rashid Center for People of Determination (also known as Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre) is a non-profit organization established in 1994 in Dubai, providing quality education and therapy services to children with special needs aged 4–18 (with workshop programs extending to age 25). The organization operates a single-site integrated model combining a special education school with clinical therapy departments and vocational training workshops. The core school program is organized into Early Years, Middle School, and Senior School sections, delivering both Arabic and English tracks through specialized classes such as SCAMPs, SMILE, Integrated Learning Groups (ILG), and Integrated Sensory Learning groups (ISL). The therapy division offers Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Behaviour Support and Management, Assistive Technology, and an Early Childhood Therapy Program. The vocational training arm comprises Carpentry, Printing and IT, Gardening, and Textile and Baking workshops, producing handcrafted products sold through the Rashid Product marketplace and the Rashid Lounge café. Additional enrichment services include Music, Art, Swimming/Aquatic Therapy, Hippo Therapy, Photography Studio, Conductive Education, ASDAN accreditation, Smart Unit, Orthotics Clinic, Heritage Room, Libraries, and Physical Education. All programs are unified under one centre in Al Barsha 1, Dubai.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre: Original name of the organization - a non-profit providing quality education and therapy services to children with special needs.

Products and services

• Education Programs (School Placement) Differentiated school placement program for children of determination aged 4-18, organized into Early Years, Middle School, and Senior School sections with Arabic and English tracks and specialized classes including SCAMPs, SMILE, Integrated Learning Groups (ILG) and Integrated Sensory Learning groups (ISL); class sizes range from 6-10 pupils.
• Occupational Therapy Services Individual occupational therapy sessions delivered by trained occupational therapists, available both as part of the school program and as outpatient services for enrolled and external students.
• Physiotherapy Services Physical therapy services supporting students' motor and physical development, delivered within the school program and as outpatient services outside school hours.
• Speech and Language Therapy Services Therapy focused on communication and language development for students, offered within both the Arabic and English language programs and as outpatient services.
• Behaviour Support and Management Services Specialized department providing behavioural support and management services to help students with behavioural and emotional regulation needs.
• Assistive Technology Services Technology solutions and aids designed to support and enhance learning and daily functioning for students with disabilities, integrated with the Smart Unit and broader curriculum.
• Early Childhood Therapy Program Therapeutic intervention program for young children from birth to 4.5 years of age, supporting early developmental needs and preparing them for transition into the school program.
• Vocational Training Workshops Four vocational workshops (Carpentry, Printing and IT, Gardening, Textile and Baking) for students aged 18-25 providing work-skills training, where students earn a small salary while producing items for sale.
• Rashid Product (Souq Rashid) Marketplace showcasing and selling handcrafted products made by students in the vocational training workshops, including textiles, baked goods, woodcraft, prints, and accessories, sold at exhibitions and through the Santara delivery app.
• Rashid Lounge (Training Café) Training café providing students with real-world work experience in coffee preparation, customer service, and food service, with a cooking workshop producing baked goods and meals served and sold on-site.
• Outpatient Therapy Services Outpatient therapy bundle (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, behaviour support, and early childhood therapy) available outside school hours for children not enrolled full-time at the center.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Irth Volunteer TeamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Visit by Sheikh Humaid Al Qasimi, Head of the Irth Volunteer Team, along with Mr. Mohammed Al Banna and the volunteer team, including the signing of a cooperation agreement with Rashid Center.
• Santara Delivery AppminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Collaboration launched between Rashid Center and the Santara delivery app, under which products from the centre's workshops are displayed on the app for sale.
• Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2023The Roads and Transport Authority collaborates with the center on multiple initiatives including the Rashid Bazaar exhibition for displaying workshop products, recycling projects, and the 'Draw with Safety' drawing competition for people of determination, sponsored by Huawei International.
• Emirates Medical AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe center collaborated with the Emirates Medical Association and the Occupational Therapy Association to organize the first conference in the UAE on occupational therapy, held under the supervision of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
• Occupational Therapy AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the Emirates Medical Association and Occupational Therapy Association to organize the first occupational therapy conference in the UAE, celebrating the launch of the first academic university program for occupational therapy study.
• Community Development Authority (CDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe center works closely with CDA for admissions decisions, with CDA approval required for students extending beyond age 18. CDA provides regulatory oversight and support for students with special needs.
• Emirates Red Crescent Authority - DubaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing support from Friends of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority - Dubai and Friends of Rashid Center for People of Determination.
• Community Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body that provides regulatory oversight and approval for student admissions, especially for extensions beyond age 18. Regular Iftar events hosted with CDA participation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Children's National Hospital – Pediatric Rehabilitation: Large US pediatric rehabilitation network offering PT, OT, and speech therapy for children with developmental disabilities; benchmark for clinical depth and outcome reporting.
• New England Center for Children: US-based center of excellence for autism and special education delivering school, clinical, and vocational programs; useful international benchmark for Rashid's integrated model.
• Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination: Abu Dhabi government-affiliated umbrella body offering education, rehabilitation, and employment services across the emirate; comparable in mission but materially larger and state-funded.

Direct peers

• Step by Step Center: Dubai-based early intervention and therapy center for children with developmental delays and special needs, competing directly for outpatient therapy referrals.
• Dubai Centre for Special Needs: Dubai-based non-profit providing individualized education and therapy for children with special needs ages 2–18, the closest direct peer in scope and mission to Rashid Center.
• Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services: UAE non-profit delivering education, therapy, and vocational training for people with disabilities from early intervention through adulthood, mirroring Rashid's integrated model.

Regional players

• Manzil Center (Emirates Center for Mobility & Rehabilitation): Sharjah-based non-profit serving children and adults with disabilities through therapy, education, and training; overlaps Rashid's therapy and vocational scope within the same UAE market.
• Victoria School for Special Education: Bahrain-based special education school serving students with a range of disabilities; comparable curriculum structure and therapy integration in the wider GCC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rashid-centre-for-people-of-determination

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rashid Center for People of Determination