Dubai Health Authority Launches Empathy Initiatives at Access Abilities Expo in Dubai

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has introduced three interactive initiatives at the eighth Access Abilities Expo at the Dubai World Trade Centre. These initiatives aim to provide visitors with a firsthand experience of the perceptions and communication methods used by people of determination, promoting greater empathy and inclusion.

Experiencing Neurodiversity

One key initiative is an immersive dome that simulates the sensory experience of a person with autism spectrum disorder. Visitors spend approximately 60-90 seconds inside, gaining insight into the challenges individuals with autism may face in their daily environments.

Learning Sign Language

An interactive educational screen allows visitors to learn basic words and expressions in sign language. This activity encourages direct practice, enabling participants to better understand communication for those with hearing or speech impairments.

Braille for Visual Accessibility

The DHA is also presenting awareness materials in Braille in both Arabic and English. This initiative demonstrates how people with visual impairments access information and highlights the importance of making public information available in diverse formats. These three initiatives collectively focus on sensory experiences, sign language communication, and tactile information access.

Beyond these immersive experiences, DHA is also showcasing three broader healthcare initiatives: health standards for DHA-licensed facilities serving people of determination, the 'Sandahum' initiative for monitoring compliance with these standards, and a unified medical report system to standardise medical terminology and streamline services.