Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
The Muwa'em mark, an accessibility and readiness certification launched by the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, aims to redefine accessibility in the UAE by transforming it from a regulatory requirement into a sustainable institutional and societal culture that promotes inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities for people of determination.
According to the authority, the label promotes adoption of universal design standard and developments of supportive environments empowering people of determination to participate in all walks of life.
Meera Mohamed Alshamsi, Genetic Genome Analyser at the General Secretary's Office at the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, told Aletihad that the initiative seeks to encourage organisations to adopt a comprehensive culture of inclusion, going beyond conventional notions of physical accessibility.
"It goes beyond physical accessibility and service readiness, encouraging institutions to adopt an inclusive culture through staff training, promoting appropriate communication with people of determination, and delivering inclusive services that consider their needs with dignity and without stigma," she said.
According to Alshamsi, the brand improves the whole experience of people of determination, their families, and all customers, as well as institutional preparedness. Additionally, it increases public trust in institutions that show a sincere dedication to inclusivity.
"The Muwa'em concept is grounded in understanding the real needs and daily experiences of people of determination when using facilities and services," Alshamsi said.
"Therefore, the mark does not treat accessibility as purely technical standards, but as a holistic system connected to user experience, dignity, independence, and the way society and institutions interact with them."
She noted that Muwa'em mark is based on five main criteria for assessing institutional readiness: workforce and disability awareness culture; safety, respect and sustainability; physical environment and accessibility; information and communication; and service design and user experience.
These standards evaluate how well businesses offer customer-focused services, courteous communication, accessible facilities, and skilled staff.
Entities that receive the mark undergo evaluation and verification visits to make sure that accessibility continues to be a long-term commitment rather than a one-time accomplishment. To uphold high levels of inclusion, the framework also incorporates conditions for membership renewal and continuous improvement.
The mark is designed to be scalable, as it is not limited to physical accessibility but also covers services, user experience, information and communication, as well as institutional and societal awareness, she said.
"Based on its implementation and observations in activities and events, the mark can be extended to multiple sectors such as tourism, events, services, and digital platforms, as it relates to the user experience in every environment where a person interacts with a service, space or institution," Alshamsi added.
"The Muwa'em mark provides a national framework that encourages government and private entities to develop more inclusive, aware and readiness-oriented environments for people of determination."
