Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami, Director General, DHA speaking at DATIS.
The UAE is a great example and benchmarked the inclusion of persons of determination. Dubai Strategy 2020 will ensure a friendly environment for all and the success stories will be the basis of future achievements.
DUBAI – The AccessAbilities Expo and Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit (DATIS) opened yesterday in Dubai at the World Trade Centre with a call to enhance inclusion of persons of determination and make the country friendly for them with Dubai Code helping enhance its pace.
In her opening remarks, Her Excellency Hessa Buhumaid, Cabinet Member, Minister of Community Development, said the UAE is a great example and benchmarked the inclusion of persons of determination by providing support to make the society friendly to them and ensured the right for them.
“We are happy that companies are taking keen interest in developing smart solutions and up-to-date technologies to provide a better life for persons of determination. She said because of the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE has better confidence in the persons with disability to face the challenges.”
Earlier, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit (DATIS), said the Expo will play a key role in supporting and achieving the vision of the UAE government in making the country for People of Determination with Dubai Code helping enhance its pace.
In his keynote address titled ‘A City for Everyone’, Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General, Executive Council of Dubai & Vice Chairman of Higher Committee for Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, said the country is proud of the achievements of persons of determination. Dubai Strategy 2020 will ensure a friendly environment for all and the success stories will be the basis of future achievements.
Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami, Director General, Dubai Health Authority, delivered the keynote address titled “Dubai: A Friendly City for People of Determination Providing Comprehensive Healthcare”.
“The UAE is in the lead position to protect the rights of persons of determination and the country has made it a national policy. We will provide health services for persons of determination at low cost and the DHA will give all facilities and make all the buildings friendly for them,” he said.
He also said DHA will promote health tourism, especially among people with disabilities, with a strategy to ensure access to all buildings and facilities.
Majid Al Usaimi, Member of the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities at Dubai Executive Council, President of Asian Paralympic Committee, Vice President of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation and Executive Director of Dubai Club for People of Determination, said “It’s the right of people of determination to have access everywhere and we are happy to face the challenges. We look forward to equality, tolerance and compassion.”
Speaking on Accessible Tourism: Is Responsible Community Required to Ensure Success?, Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Director General, Community Development Authority (CDA), said persons of determination should be made partners in progress and there should be collaborative efforts by community members. “Dubai Tourism offers training to support them, and there are special rooms in hotels and discounts. In fact, we have empowered them through the vision of our leaders and they have become active citizens.”
As many as 245 international companies and centres specializing in the rehabilitation of People with Disabilities from 40 countries across the world are showcasing advanced technologies that facilitate the lives and mobility of people with disabilities at the Expo.
The Expo has a Knowledge Hub, sponsored by Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA), where experts conduct sessions on important issues concerning the lives of People of Determination like the importance of technology, smart solutions and mobility, employment and empowerment.
Top officials representing international organizations and government departments in the UAE and experts in tourism and transport are participating in the Summit.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
