Assistive technology helping 50 million disabled people in the Middle East

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: February 5, 2020:   His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, has honoured the most prominent government bodies, public institutions and private companies for their unfaltering support, untiring efforts and inspiring determination  towards the empowerment of People of Determination in line with the national vision of UAE.

His Highness expressed his appreciation for the valuable efforts exerted by the public and private sectors in the UAE to attract the best assistive technologies and upgrading the quality of facilities and rehabilitation for the People of Determination in various sectors, especially in the tourism and travel domains, by keeping pace with their aspirations and enable them to be better on their own.

His comments came during a special ceremony held today at the Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre’s Great Ballroom by the organisers to honour the key participants and supporters of the AccessAbilities Expo and the Dubai Accessibilities Tourism International Summit (DATIS) held in November last year.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), People of Determination constitutes between 10 to 15 percent of the total population around the world, or about one billion people, of whom 50 million residents in the Middle East. They are looking to explore the latest technologies that contribute to improving their day to day lives.

Among those honoured included the UAE Ministry of Community Development, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Municipality, Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA), Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the Dubai Ambulance Services Corporation. Also included in the honour list were Dubai Duty Free (DDF), Etisalat, Dubai Club for People of Determination, Le Meridien Hotel, Sanad Village, Manafeth Mobility Solutions and Muna Bin Hammad.