ABU DHABI: The Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) has launched the first interactive showroom of its kind in the Middle East, at its headquarters in Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi, marking a new step towards supporting People of Determination and promoting innovation in assistive technology.
This unique event is part of ongoing efforts to enhance community inclusion and provide innovative solutions that contribute to improving the lives of People of Determination.
The new interactive showroom includes several zones, such as the “Innovation Zone,” “Education Zone,” and “Hospitality Zone.” These areas will showcase a wide range of innovative products that facilitate daily life for individuals and businesses.
Among these products is the non-surgical hearing device “HEARNU,” which uses bone conduction technology to assist individuals with hearing impairments. Other innovative technologies designed to support the needs of People of Determination in various fields will also be showcased.
One of th
e standout features of the showroom is the Autism Virtual Reality Experience, which provides non-autistic individuals with a unique opportunity to experience the sensory challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum. This immersive experience relies on advanced technology to give participants a deeper understanding of the daily challenges faced by individuals with autism, increasing community awareness and fostering empathy for this group.
This initiative is being launched in collaboration with “Topland,” which played a key role in providing the advanced technological solutions that form the foundation of this interactive showroom. This collaboration reflects both parties’ commitment to achieving a shared vision aimed at empowering People of Determination through modern technology.
Through this interactive showroom, ZHO aims to promote innovation in assistive technology, enabling People of Determination to live independently and actively participate in society. In addition to showcasing products, the ed
ucational zones will provide workshops and training sessions to help individuals and their families use the technology effectively in their daily lives.
Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of ZHO, said, “This interactive showroom represents a new step towards building a more inclusive and innovative future for People of Determination. We are proud to be the first organisation in the Middle East to offer this unique experience, which combines technology, education, and community interaction to support a vital segment of our society.”
He added in a statement that one of the key pillars of this initiative is inclusivity, accessibility, and education.
He explained that the project has been in development for a long time, evaluating the best global practices to attract international companies to Abu Dhabi, supporting easier access to services for people of determination.
He stressed that education is a fundamental pillar, noting that today, in the exhibition area, two interactive rooms have been establishe
d. The first simulates autism, a model applied in the United Kingdom, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. This initiative aims to raise awareness among the teaching staff about the factors that help people of determination focus on their learning. It also extends to medical staff, the healthcare sector, and several government bodies, including the police force, as well as the private sector, to raise awareness of how to interact with people of determination.
He explained that the second room is dedicated solely to education and includes more than 350,000 scenarios about practising daily life activities. It trains people of determination on how to cope with challenges, overcome fears, and engage in social integration.
He pointed out that the initiative’s programmes are for trial purposes, followed by specialised training lasting at least one hour to educate trainees on how to manage specific cases.
Andy Faulkner, CEO of Topland, stated, “Topland is proud to collaborate with the Zayed Higher Organisat
ion in launching this unique and exceptional interactive showroom, which showcases the latest technologies to assist People of Determination in their daily tasks. This showroom will allow individuals and businesses to see all the available technologies and understand how to benefit from them. Both the immersive virtual reality experience and the autism experience are the first of their kind to be launched in the Middle East.”
Source: Emirates News Agency