Expo City Dubai and the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO) are joining forces to enhance event and environmental accessibility and inclusion, signing a collaboration agreement that will support people of determination in becoming an integral part of the Expo City community and encourage their participation in its many activities.

The agreement was signed at Expo City Dubai’s Al Wasl Plaza on International White Cane Day (15 October), which recognises the achievements and potential of people of determination with visual impairments, with the white cane symbolising the ability to lead a full and independent life. Coinciding with the ceremony, Expo City Dubai has installed tactile maps with audio descriptions, which, for the first time, enable blind and low-vision individuals to immerse themselves in the Al Wasl experience.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority said: “At Expo City Dubai, we believe that representation and inclusion are integral to creating a brighter future for people and planet – and as a growing and evolving city, we have the opportunity to drive accessibility and inclusion from the outset. Our collaboration with the ZHO taps into their expertise, reinforcing our commitment to creating a city where people of all abilities are enabled to live, work and play independently and participate fully in society. In this way, we are collectively empowered to drive positive change – in Expo City, the UAE, and beyond.”

His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary General of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, said: “Expo City Dubai plays a prominent role in promoting inclusion and serves as a model of a comprehensive and accessible environment for all, regardless of ability or special needs. Our partnership with Expo City aims to enhance this further and is part of our ongoing efforts to empower people of determination and provide suitable job opportunities across diverse activities and events. This collaboration aligns with our strategic vision by providing the necessary support for people of determination to achieve effective and equitable participation in public life.”

Expo City Dubai has built accessibility into its very fabric to ensure that people of determination – whether residents, working professionals, visitors or employees – are welcomed and fully supported. In addition to tactile navigation maps and 3D tactile maps for Al Wasl, Expo City has plans for a sign language avatar for its Al Wasl projections.

The collaboration will further enhance the city’s efforts, facilitating greater accessibility across its events and programmes and providing more opportunities for people of determination to get involved in and contribute to its various experiences.

Tapping into its expertise in driving inclusion, ZHO will offer training to Expo City employees, service providers and contractors, boosting their skills in providing services for people of determination. People of determination will also be further integrated into Expo City’s workforce and engagement programmes, with Expo City sharing its knowledge from its track record in delivering diverse programmes and experiences with ZHO.

In addition, the two organisations will collaborate to create a best practice guide for accessibility that can be adapted across the UAE and will form a research committee to identify further accessibility initiatives.

The collaboration will build on Expo City Dubai’s existing features for people of determination, which include the availability of Sunflower Lanyards (also known as ‘Hidden Disabilities Lanyards’) to indicate to staff and volunteers that additional assistance or accessible entry may be required; the welcoming of service dogs across the city’s grounds and its attractions; braille signage in key areas and attractions; select tactile maps; and wheelchair accessible buggies. The Expo 2020 Dubai Museum has also installed Navilens, an app that enables blind and partially sighted people to access and locate information and interact with their surrounding environment.