Middle East govt bodies gear up for expo for disabled

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Middle East govt bodies gear up for expo for disabled
AccessAbilities Expo 2016 in Dubai aims at enhancing lives of people with disabilities. - File photo used for illustrative purpose

Dubai - The event is taking place from February 9 to 11 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

By Wam

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Published: Sat 6 Feb 2016, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Sun 7 Feb 2016, 8:34 PM

Government bodies are gearing up for the AccessAbilities Expo 2016, the Middle East's largest expo for individuals with disabilities, taking place from February 9 to 11 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Participants of AccessAbilities Expo 2016> Dubai Municipality
> Dubai Health Authority
> Department of Economic Development
> Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
> Dubai Customs
> General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
> Roads and Transport Authority
The UAE and Dubai have been taking numerous steps under the 'My community... a city for everyone' initiative towards enhancing the lives of people with disabilities and integrating them into the society.
According to officials, the new initiatives include Smart Gate special counters at the airports, guidelines in Braille, government staff trained in sign language to support those with hearing and speech impairment, ease of wheelchair access in buildings, parks, transport facilities, government offices and other places and parking facilities close to the centres.
Sami Al Qamzi, Director-General of Department of Economic Development (DED), which joined the bandwagon of departments increasing the services for the disabled, said: "We have formed a special team to make DED and its institutions disabled-friendly entities in order to ensure that the facilities inside the buildings allow people having disabilities to move around with ease. We also provide an environment that encourages innovation and creativity, along with developing customer services and offering smart e-services for them such as websites that can be used by those who are visually impaired and smart channels to serve customers round the clock."
Hamid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), said: "The DHA will spare no effort in providing the highest level of medical services for people with disabilities and the authority's strategy includes a set of advanced programmes that ensures health and happiness for people with disabilities."
He added that the authority is working on a policy of inclusion, to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities, and giving them a priority in accessing various medical services. -Wam


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