DUBAI // Do not discriminate against the deaf and give them access to the basic human rights of communication, education and employment.
That was the message on Wednesday at the launch of the Hear My Voice – Empowering the Deaf conference, which aims to promote deaf rights in the community.
“This is a conference that sheds light on the importance of grasping challenges faced by hard of hearing people,” said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.
“It also encourages serious efforts to care for hard of hearing people and to protect their rights,” he said at the conference, organised by the Kalimati Speech Communication Centre in Mirdif and the UAE Deaf Association.
Sheikh Nahyan said those with hearing disabilities should not have to live in isolation or face discrimination.
“We have to provide equal opportunities to all UAE boys and girls and allow them to grow to their full potential,” he said.
Salma Hamad Al Tamimi, a specialist teacher of the deaf at the Al Ain Centre for Care and Rehabilitation, said the UAE needed more higher education facilities for them.
“It is my dream for all deaf children to study in university. It needs a lot of work but we are taking it step by step.”
Ms Al Tamimi, one of the founders of the UAE Deaf Association, is a project manager for the UAE sign language dictionary. This is being compiled to provide more people with the communication tools to interact with the deaf and hard of hearing.
The project will be completed by 2015, she said.
There are about 70 million deaf people who use sign language as their first language or mother tongue, according to the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). More than 80 per cent of the 70 million live in developing countries, where authorities are rarely familiar with their needs. The UAE is still viewed as one of these developing countries.
“When a deaf person is born, the ability to have sign language is so important – just as it is for a hearing child to have access to spoken language,” said Dr Joseph Murray, a WFD board member who delivered the keynote address.
Addressing challenges for the deaf in Arabic countries is a key focus for the WFD, he said.
“When we talk about basic human rights, we talk about the right to use a language and the right to education through that language so then having access to services and support.
“There are a lot of people here [in the UAE] with a great deal of passion. I would like to see them supported.”
Sabine El Deek, technical manager and speech and language therapist at the Kalimati centre, said integration of the deaf into the community is possible through education, employment, social inclusion and the recognition of sign language.
“There is no higher education here. They finish school and that is that,” she said.
“The aim is to start accepting people into universities in the UAE.”
Tareq Saleh, an associate professor at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, who works in the field, agrees that more needs to be done regarding education.
Many deaf people are leaving school with inadequate reading and writing skills, and those that do graduate and want to further their learning have to study abroad, he said.
“There is no belief in the ability of the deaf people here,” said Prof Saleh, referring to the region.
“If a deaf person can be successful in the United States, in Europe and in other countries, they can be successful here. The only difference is these countries are proving all the possible means of support to stand behind them and to encourage them.”
The conference at Dubai Healthcare City concludes on Thursday.
jbell@thenational.ae
pakistan Test squad
Azhar Ali (capt), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
'Dark Waters'
Directed by: Todd Haynes
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, William Jackson Harper
Rating: ****
Selected fixtures
All times UAE
Wednesday
Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm
Friday
Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm
Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Denmark 10.45pm
Sunday
Poland v Italy 10.45pm
Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm
Tuesday
France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm
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