Dubai: From a sign-language translating glove to an eye-tracking communicator screen, the Middle East’s largest expo for people of determination is showcasing the world’s latest assistive technology products and solutions at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The AccessAbilities Expo, which is hosting more than 150 exhibitors from 40 countries, kicked off on Tuesday, with a series of sessions focusing on inclusion in the community and in the workplace.
Running until Thursday, the exhibition, which is in line with the UAE leadership’s vision to make Dubai disabled-friendly by 2020, is also a platform that aims to reach people of determination in the Middle East — who are estimated to be 50 million in number.
It was inaugurated by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. “The expo is aimed at motivating government authorities and private sector participants to improve their understanding of people of determination and enhance their services to better meet their needs, integrate them into society and enable them to overcome their daily challenges,” said Shaikh Ahmad. He pointed out that the UAE leadership’s vision also includes making the nation fully disabled-friendly and enhancing the participation of people with disabilities in the community and the economy.
Dr Shaikha Aliah Humaid Al Qasimi, acting CEO of Social Care and Development Sector at the Community Development Authority, said: “We already have a legal framework in place, and if we talk on the global level, the UAE has already signed a ratified United Nations convention on the rights of people with disabilities following the slogan ‘Nothing for us, without us.’ Here in Dubai, My Community initiative was launched in 2013, with the aim of highlighting this specific category of people in the community,” she told Gulf News.
With several initiatives and awareness campaigns on people of determination launched in Dubai, Shaikha Aliah referred to two main points that will help achieve the Dubai disabled-friendly 2020 vision in Dubai. “We have worked with international, local, and regional experts in people of determination in drafting and signing of the Dubai disability strategy which will focus on, first, a rights-based approach and that is inclusion. The second factor is involving people of determination in every design, project and initiative,” she explained.
Moving on to inclusion in the workplace, Shaikha Aliah pointed out that while Dubai does not require a quota for people of determination in companies and organisations, campaigns are taking place to transform the community’s perspective. “Dubai has not adopted a quota in the working sector because we found there is the ‘goodwill to do’ but they lack the ‘know-how.’ Hence, the initiatives that we have released are mainly to change the common perspective and attitude, which is the main challenge that people of determination face in their lives on a daily basis,” said Shaikha Aliah.
She further explained that three factors play a role in increasing the inclusion of people of determination in the workplace. “The person needs to have the skills, the workplace needs to be accommodating and should have the universal design standards of accessibility, and the third if the people’s attitudes — including employers, colleagues, investors and suppliers,” she added.
Devices on show
Parking space detector
Parking detector for spaces allocated for people of determination: The device, which includes a camera and 3G technology, detects a car’s plate number and information — screening its registered parking card for people of determination. The device is connected to the Traffic Department at Dubai Police, and instantly notifies them if a card does not carry the special parking tag.
Hand rehabilitation glove
Hand rehabilitation glove called ‘Gloreha Sinfonia’: This device is for upper limb rehabilitation that supports patients during all phases of neuro-motor recovery. It supports finger joint motion, while detecting voluntary active motion. Patients are totally involved during the motor exercises as the device comes with a multisensory stimulation and 3D animation on the screen.
Visual Communicator
Visual communicator with eye-tracking controls: The touchscreen called Dialog 3.0 by Dialog Ausili can be controlled by pupil movement. The device is customisable, and incudes features such as browsing and sending emails, access to social media networks, access to music, videos and e-books, a communicator text service, among others.
Sign-language glove
Sign-language glove by Dubai Police: Allows users to communicate with others through sign language via smart phone. The glove is connected to a smart phone, translating sign language into words. Pool lift: The Blu Pool device, by Digi Project, enables access to the pool with reduced mobility in a safe, comfortable and functional way. The device enables a physically challenged person by lowering them down into the pools so they are able to swim and get physical exercises. It can be operated automatically or manually, and carries around 140kg.
Power wheelchairs
Mid-wheel drive power chairs: The power chairs ‘Q6 Edge 2.0’ by 24/7 for medical equipment have highly configurable seating systems that allow users to add additional features as their conditions progress. It drives at 3.5 miles per hour and keeps up with a person’s walking pace. It also allows users to raise their seats by 12 inches to its full height, making interaction and socialisation easier.
