(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI, 14th November, 2022 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Community Development (MoCD) will participate in the activities of the Fourth session of the Accessibilities Expo 2022, to be held between 15th and 17th November, 2022, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The ministry will display a number of diversified initiatives and achievements that enhance the vision of empowering people of determination in the UAE within the commitment to living independently as part of the international efforts to promote the social inclusion of people of determination.
Nasser Ismail, Assistant Under-Secretary of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Community Development, said,“The participation of the MoCD in the Accessibilities Expo organised 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, is a reflection of its objectives to raise awareness and introduce the role of the ministry in improving the efforts of people of determination rehabilitation, live independently and provide them with the opportunities to get introduced to a wide range of entities and learn about the most prominent offered technology devices that serve the persons with disabilities (people of determination).
Nasser emphasised that Accessibilities Expo 2022 Dubai embodies an ideal opportunity for cooperation between all countries of the world to learn about the new technical and innovative solutions provided for the people of determination. It is also a reflection of the provisions of the United Nations Convention ratified by the UAE, especially Article IX, which urges facilitating the accessibility and participation of people of determination to the surrounding environment, means of transportation and information, including assistive technology; the technologies and rehabilitation programmes provided by the exhibition to its visitors are the best evidence of this, in addition to the exhibition's ability to attract people of determination, their families and staff from different countries of the world to learn about supporting services in education, employment, home, recreational and community services to enable them to live independently on an equal basis with their peers.
He also explained that the exhibition enhances local, regional and international efforts to provide supportive environments that encourage people of determination, by exchanging successful experiences and disseminating them within various sectors and areas of life, in a way that helps make the lives of people of determination more independent and inclusive thus at the same time benefiting from the services, products and information like others.
Nasser Ismail added that the MoCD will highlight its experience in the assessment, diagnosis, rehabilitation and empowerment of the people of determination in Accessibilities Expo 2022 by revealing the early detection of developmentally delayed people, comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment, People of Determination card and National Classification of Disabilities (People of Determination) in the UAE.
Visitors at Accessibilities Expo 2022 will also be offered the opportunity to learn about vocational rehabilitation and employment efforts, within the training, recruitment and empowerment initiatives provided by the People of Determination Platform, 'Mashaghel' project for vocational rehabilitation and employment, in addition to marketing the products of People of Determination through e-outlets to achieve their social inclusion. As part of enhancing communication with the people of determination, the MoCD is providing an upgraded version of the virtual translator through its website while the sign language request service is available to all entities in the UAE.
The ministry is also reviewing the achievements of (Khetta) platform, which was launched in the academic year 2020/2A021 in (6) government centres for people of determination to provide comprehensive and diversified services for students, parents, teaching staff and specialists.
The MoCD will also highlight the achievements of“Moeen” Assistive Technology Centre for People of Determination, the first of its kind in the UAE which consists of a range of devices designed for various reasons such as design, sensory and communication. The centre supports the use of these devices, to serve the development of the educational and rehabilitation process for people of determination, and enhance their cognitive and motor abilities.
The three-day Accessibilities Expo is the largest of its kind in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, and the largest platform for manufacturers and distributors of assistive products, as well as government authorities, rehabilitation centres as well as health and education centres that deal with people of determination. The exhibition showcases technical products, some of which are displayed for the first time in the Middle East to empower people of determination and enhance their capabilities. The number of companies and centres participating in the exhibition, from government and private authorities, is nearly 250 exhibitors from 50 countries. The exhibition is expected to attract more than 10,000 specialised visitors from different countries of the world.