UAEs special needs centres keen on realising the vision of making Dubai disabled friendly by 2020

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UAEs special needs centres keen on realising the vision of making Dubai disabled friendly by 2020

Leading special needs centres in the UAE have confirmed their participation in AccessAbilities Expo 2016, through which they are keen to contribute to realizing the vision of 'My Community' initiative by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in establishing Dubai as a fully-inclusive and disabled friendly city by year 2020.

Appreciating the initiative of hosting AccessAbilities Expo 2016, representatives of the centres for disabilities said they look forward to exploring the latest technological advancements and international best practices at the expo, bring presented by over 150 exhibitors from 30 countries across the world.

AccessAbilities Expo 2016 is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, from February 8-10, 2016, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The expo will cater to the needs of over 750 million people with disabilities worldwide, including over 50 million in the Middle East, alongwith millions of family members, carers, service providers and others associated with them.

Mariam Othman, Director General of Rashid Centre for the Disabled said: "UAE's leadership has once again taken the lead in fully caring and providing the disabled with their rehabilitation in addition to their social and intellectual needs. Rashid Centre for the Disabled welcomes the launch of the AccessAbilities Expo. The event will be a catalyst for greater understanding and collaborative efforts towards improving the lives of the disabled in the region. We look forward to our participation at the event and the opportunity to meet the global industry's key players in the UAE in addition for Dubai's leading strategy being a friendly city for the disabled by 2020".

Isphana Al Khatib, Director, Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, said: We are pleased to participate in the AccessAbilities Expo, which aims to draw attention to issues concerning people with disabilities. The expo will bring focus and attention on the need to generate appropriate actions that are necessary to bring the requisite change in perceptions, enhance organization, structure and resources. Bringing all this together on a single platform will push things in the right direction.

The goal of the expo is aligned to our work at Al Noor, generating a better understanding about individuals with disabilities and thus having an empowered community that is accepting and holistically productive. Importantly, Access Abilities will showcase the latest technologies which have opened up a myriad of possibilities for people with disabilities, she said.

Dubai Autism Centre (DAC), which is dedicated to improving the lives of children with autism and their families, is eager to explore the best practices and technologies that can lead to improvement in the lives of children with autism.

Mohammad Al Emadi, Director General of Dubai Autism Center, said: The Dubai Autism Centre implements the best international practices being adopted in other countries worldwide. The AccessAbilities Expo, by bringing international exhibitors and professionals in the field of disabilities, provides an opportunity to access these technologies that can make a significant difference in the lives of those with disabilities.

AccessAbilities Expo is expecting thousands of attendees from training centres and organisations for the disabled, families, care-takers, technology and medical service providers, transportation, telecommunication, government bodies and other sectors directly or indirectly associated with disabilities.

The expo will be supported by key government bodies including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Municipality, Community Development Authority (CDA), General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, and Dubai Customs as the strategic partners alongwith private sector organisations in technology, telecommunication, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, tourism, education, infrastructure, facilities management and other areas from more than 30 countries.