Integration of the deaf and hard of hearing into the community is possible through education, employment, social inclusion and the recognition of sign language.

These concepts, as well as the development of the Emirati sign language, were at the forefront during the opening of the second edition of the conference ‘Hear my Voice – Empowering the Deaf’, which was held under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) in association with Kalimati Speech and Communication Centre and the UAE Deaf Association opened the conference on April 16, 2014 at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre (MBR-AMC) at DHCC.

The two-day conference addressed topics on vocational training for the deaf, reading strategies, and supporting deaf women. It also facilitated Emirati sign language workshops.

Dr Joseph Murray, Board Member of The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), delivered the keynote address, pushing for human rights of deaf people worldwide.

Adding significance to the program was the presence of 7 deaf presenters: Jeff Bravin and Luisa Soboleski from the American School of the Deaf; Emirati Musabeh Al Neyadi from the UAE Deaf Association; Saudi Hend Al Showaier and Bader al Omary; and Professor Rita Straubhaar from the Monroe Community College, U.S.A

A panel of prominent Emirati speakers included H.E. Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, Chief Executive Officer of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development; Mariam Saif Al Qubaisi, Head of Special Needs Sector at Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs (ZHO) and Afaf Al Haridi, Principal of Al Amal School for the Deaf.

Marwan Abedin, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Healthcare City, commented that: “Education is a core driver of DHCC’s commitment. We believe that medical education and awareness go hand in hand, and today’s conference exemplifies this belief. Everyone has a part to play in ensuring inclusion at various levels.”

Bedour Al Raqbani, Owner and Founder of Kalimati, said: “This year’s Conference continues to support the UAE in its aim to provide the basic factors of Human Rights for deaf people including bilingual education, sign language, accessibility, and sign language interpretation.  There is an urgent need for empowerment through education, employment and social support.”

Dr Joseph Murray, Board Member of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), said: "The WFD looks forward to working with deaf people, parents, and professionals in the Arab region and sharing the importance of national sign languages for national deaf communities in the attainment of deaf peoples’ human rights. With full access to their native sign languages, deaf people are able to participate in their societies on an equal basis with hearing people."

The conference, sponsored by Al Maktab, Executive Council of Dubai, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), and Al Rostamani, is expected to attract 250 participants from around the region.

The Conference also marked the conclusion of the ‘Hear Us Sign’ road show campaign, which kicked off on April 8, 2014. The 10-day campaign saw a customized truck with a built-in photo booth travelling across four Emirates to raise awareness about sign language and the need for integrating the deaf into society. The campaign’s ambassador is Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi, who is the United Nations Ambassador at Large for the Arab and Gulf region.

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