Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO) on Tuesday inaugurated the Middle East's first interactive showroom at its Al Bahia headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The landmark initiative endeavours to advance assistive technology and enhance community inclusion for people of determination.
The showroom features distinct zones such as Innovation, Education, and Hospitality, spotlighting cutting-edge products like HEARNU, a non-surgical hearing device, and other technologies that support people of determination across various fields.
One of the features is the Autism Virtual Reality Experience, which allows non-autistic individuals to experience the sensory challenges of the autism spectrum. It promotes empathy and increasing community awareness.
Partnering with Topland, a leading supplier in the Middle East and North Africa region of products and services to enhance accessibility in places and businesses, the ZHO is leveraging advanced technology to empower people of determination.
The interactive showroom not only fosters innovation in assistive technology but also aims to help people of determination lead independent lives and actively contribute to their communities.
Besides product displays, the educational zones will offer workshops and training sessions, equipping individuals and their families with the skills to integrate these technologies into their daily lives.
Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of the ZHO, told Aletihad, "Today, we inaugurated the interactive showroom as part of implementing the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination, launched by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him. This showroom supports inclusiveness, accessibility, and education, featuring advanced devices to aid people of determination, facilitated through global partnerships."
He noted that the exhibition presents innovative solutions to address challenges, with contributions from partners like Topland and other companies, aiming to benefit from ongoing experimentation and analysis by relevant authorities.
As a partner, Andy Faulkner, CEO of Topland, said that they designed the showroom to raise awareness about the technology available to assist people of determination.
"Instead of merely showcasing pictures, we decided to display the equipment in real-world settings to demonstrate its functionality," Faulkner told Aletihad.
He added that the showroom features five unique areas: the innovative hub, beach area, hotel room with hearing technology, two unique rooms for simulating autism experiences, making them the second country to offer this, as well as an immersive reality room for relaxation.
Maitha Al Nuaimi, an Applied Behaviour Analyst at the ZHO, spoke to Aletihad about her experience with the interactive showroom.
"As specialists, we have studied autism from both behavioural and physical perspectives, but the interactive showroom experience has been enlightening. Children with autism are hypersensitive to their environment and require specific sensory inputs. During the experience, we observed that sounds and light can be particularly challenging for them."
This experience has deepened their understanding and enhanced the support they can provide, Al Nuaimi added.
Harmeet Dhillon and Dr. Catherine O'Farrell, founders of INCLUZEN, a certified social enterprise under the Authority of Social Contribution (Ma'an), spoke to Aletihad about their initiative.
"We have created a model classroom for schools and educators - a fully inclusive environment designed to accommodate children and adults with various disabilities. This classroom features tools that address a broad range of needs. For instance, children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, who may be highly sensitive to sound, will find resources here that help teachers better understand and manage their sensory needs."
Working with over 150 families of people of determination and collaborating with over 400 schools, they added that they are utilising digital tools for dyslexia support and communication, along with manual resources.
Besides, they provide sensory support to enhance learning and sensory experiences for children of determination.
Also participating was the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in Autism and Neurodiversity Training and Certification.
Hany Nafad, Director of Development, told Aletihad that the company provides training for frontline staff in the hospitality industry to better serve people of determination and their families.
Bianca Raubenheimer, Business Development Director for MENA at IBCCES, said: "We have just launched the IBCCES Accessibility App, a location-based platform that helps people of determination and their families plan visits to attractions, malls, and airports by showcasing available accommodations. We are part of the Innovation Hub, managed by Topland, and operate in over 110 countries, including here in Abu Dhabi."
"Looking ahead, the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination aims to stay ahead by continuously analysing and developing its educational and rehabilitation systems. This interactive showroom represents a significant step towards leadership in this field," Al Humaidan added.
