ABILITIESme, the first exhibition and conference of its kind in the UAE that focuses on the economic, social, educational, and professional empowerment of people with disabilities, will take place in Abu Dhabi from 24 to 26 March 2014.
This event is designed to raise awareness of the many ways of helping people with disabilities achieve important goals in school, at university, at work, in sports, and in society. ABILITIESme proceeds under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development and Honorary President of the Future Centre for Special Needs in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Nahayan, who will officially open the event on 24 March at 10 am, has long championed people with special needs and has declared that
"We in the United Arab Emirates recognise that everyone is endowed with a unique set of gifts and that each person has the capacity to make an important contribution to society. We are confident that we can and should help all people, whatever their individual needs, in developing their special abilities so that they will realise their full potential and lead fulfilling lives."
The three-day event will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and will open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance is free for everyone. The exhibition will feature local and international exhibitors communicating the latest information on rehabilitation, special needs education, social inclusion, and assistive technology. Special Needs Centres from across the United Arab Emirates will showcase their innovative services and programmes that deal with various disabilities. In cooperation with the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, the organisations have planned sporting activities, such as wheelchair basketball, that visitors can observe or even join as players.
HE Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company "ADNOC":
"The individuals with special needs are always part in the vision of our wise leadership and in the agenda of the Government of Abu Dhabi from the beginning. ADNOC belief in its role of supporting the national economy and boosting the industry on all levels and at the same time playing a vital role through care and continued support for all programs and initiatives aimed at bringing prosperity to all segments of society, especially the segment with special needs in order to benefit from their efforts and expertise in supporting the growth and development taking place in the emirate in all sectors."
He added that in ADNOC it’s our responsibility to the community to eagerly provide support and care for special groups of people from the country through cooperation and coordination with all concerned parties in the emirate, adding that ADNOC has recently signed an agreement with Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs which aims at recruiting and rehabilitation of people with needs to achieve the principle comprehensive integration of our children with disabilities at all levels.
He said that ADNOC was one of the first entrepreneurs to hire people with special needs of people from the home where she worked to provide the necessary software and accessible solutions to enable them and ensures their involvement in the labor market, which is reflected in the increase the percentage of resettlement in the oil and gas, petrochemicals, noting that a large number of Special Needs are employed already in various jobs within ADNOC and its group of companies .
Kamal Rafih, General Manager of Emirates Motor Company (EMC), Mercedes-Benz authorized distributor in Abu Dhabi and the flagship company of Al Fahim Group, praised, "We are proud to play an active role as the National Automotive Sponsor in this heartfelt initiative by ABILITIESme. EMC has and always will be a keen supporter of activities which inspire special needs students to rise to their potentials and become significant members in the economic, social and academic sectors of the UAE. ABILTIESme and EMC share a common cause to make a difference in society and endorse individuals who wish to develop their skills."
Visitors will discover how the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, the Community Development Authority, and the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services are working to empower people with disabilities. Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear real stories of triumph over disabilities as told by people from Saudi Arabia, UK, USA, and Korea. Visitors will also be able to participate in a variety of workshops that will examine ways for achieving optimal quality of life for individuals and families living with disabilities.
ABILITIESme is supported by UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, Emirates Steel, Etihad Airways, Emirates Motor Company, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and Daman. These organisations have recognised their corporate social responsibility for helping people with special needs, and our community is benefiting greatly from that support.
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