Culture & Education | Thursday 4 February, 2016 3:21 pm |

International experts from UK, Switzerland, Germany, India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE will discuss burning issues concerning people with disabilities and the latest international practices, with a view to presenting effective, implementable measures and benefitting over 50 million people having disabilities across the Middle East, in line with the ‘My Community… a city for everyone’ initiative by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai executive Council, aimed at inclusion and empowering people with disabilities, during the inaugural edition of the ‘Knowledge Centre’ at the AccessAbilities Expo 2016. The experts at the Knowledge Forum will talk about innovative use of smart technology in assisting the disabled, highlight issues of concern and also present latest tools and strategies that can be adopted to benefit people with disabilities.

Isphana Khatib, from Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, will deliver a presentation on SMART class, a student-centric digital learning solution for children with special needs; Majid Abdulla Al Usaimi will talk about sports for the disabled, Anna White, a special education expert, will talk about creating a friendly work environment for colleagues with disabilities; in addition to  sessions on obesity among children with special needs, spinal cord injuries, barrier-free living with accessible architecture, employment for the disabled, inclusion, early diagnosis of Autism and empowering parents of children with learning delays. 

A special Sign Language workshop will be conducted by Sabine El-Deek of Kalimati Communication and Rehabilitation Centre in the UAE. Anil Sharan and James Casaki from Mawaheb for Beautiful People will share their experiences of living successfully with disabilities. 

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, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai executive Council,, to make Dubai the world’s friendliest city for the disabled by 2020. The 3-day Expo, from February 9-11, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, is being organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East and Nadd AlShiba PR & Event Management.

 

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions, said: “Our goal of inviting experts from every possible area touching the lives of the disabled is to strongly contribute towardsestablishing Dubai as a fully-inclusive and disabled friendly city by the year 2020. The discussions are aimed at benefitting persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers with valuable insights from trained experts and real life experiences. These discussions and talks will not only provide answers to many issues but also result in effective and practical strategies that can be implemented for the benefit of millions of people with disabilities in the region alone.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 15 per cent people in the world live with disabilities, the world’s largest minority. Abysmally low rates of employment and education are among the major issues concerning the disabled, with 90 per cent of people with disabilities in developing countries not going to school, according to UNESCO. 

The lineup of speakers at the Knowledge Centre includes special educators, decision-makers from government bodies, senior representatives from international associations for the disabled, doctors and top executives from the healthcare industry, experts and trainers in physical education for the disabled, assistive technology providers and architects specializing in accessible structures. Successful individuals with disabilities will also give motivational talks sharing their experiences during the Knowledge Centre.

AccessAbilities Expo has a strong support from the government including DHA, Dubai Municipality, RTA, DED, DEWA, GDRFA Dubai, CDA and Dubai Customs, who are participating at the event as Strategic Partners. More than 100 companies from over 30 countries in technology, telecommunication, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, tourism, education, infrastructure and facilities management sectors are exhibiting their products and services at the Expo, which also features a dedicated ‘Activity Area’. The Expo expects over 3,000 visitors.