Zahra, a pupilat Al Noor Training Centre for Children With Special Needs, communicates using her Sound Flex Communication App. Reem Mohammed / The National
Zahra, a pupilat Al Noor Training Centre for Children With Special Needs, communicates using her Sound Flex Communication App. Reem Mohammed / The National
Zahra, a pupilat Al Noor Training Centre for Children With Special Needs, communicates using her Sound Flex Communication App. Reem Mohammed / The National
Zahra, a pupilat Al Noor Training Centre for Children With Special Needs, communicates using her Sound Flex Communication App. Reem Mohammed / The National

Assistive technology helps children with disabilities in Dubai thrive


Ramola Talwar Badam
  • English
  • Arabic

“Hello, my name is Zahra. I’m awesome.”

By pressing a few keys, Zahra picks out a greeting, chooses cheerful and teary emoticons. She even cracks a joke by hitting a button to say, “I fooled you” after she pretends to identify the wrong colour when quizzed by her teacher.

To help her communicate, Zahra and other children with conditions ranging from cerebral palsy to development disabilities, use speech software loaded on to a tablet attached to their wheelchairs.

Assistive technology devices are being used by children in the Al Noor Training Centre to play musical instruments, operate a computer, splash paint on canvas, design garments, switch on a kettle, handle a sandwich maker and even play video games.

Zahra laughs and looks directly at the person she is addressing when she jabs out her responses to simple questions about her day and the meals she ate. Her teachers say this would not have been possible without assistive devices.

“All our students have innate creativity and talent that does not get an opportunity to express itself because they have physical and cognitive limitations. The devices give them an opportunity to express their creativity, give them access to art that otherwise they would not have had because they can’t hold a conventional paint brush or crayon,” said Deepika Gopalarao, coordinator rehabilitation services at Al Noor.

“This enhances their self-esteem and addresses any feeling of frustration or behavioural challenges because it makes them confident.”

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In a sunlit music room, pupils and care givers practice a song. The room fills with the sounds of drums, guitars, pianos and cymbals as the teacher instructs them to keep time while they hit their keyboards or tablets that replicate the sound of the instruments.

In the art room, some use a large version of a mouse to choose a range of colours via a device called the switch technology. Their art work is displayed on mugs, t-shirts, posters and conference logos.

Pupils with stronger motor skills use eye gaze technology to draw designs then converted into bags, gowns and garments on display at the centre’s store.

The devices also give them the ability to make their own choices when listening to music, watching television or video.

“A student with severe physical disability can use eye gaze tech to change channels and watch a programme of his choice. He is then not dependent on a caregiver and does not have to watch what the caregiver wants. That autonomy is very important, they can make decisions for themselves,” said Ms Gopalarao.

The centre has adapted technology in printing, baking, wood design, fashion technology so these can be operated by students in vocational training units.

In a large computer room with yellow walls, students are absorbed in colouring images, creating graphic designs or practicing typing skills. The skills learnt could help secure an office job.

There is some time allotted for video games with a few students promised additional minutes if they complete the tasks assigned.

“Only five minutes more, yes?” asks Jad, a pupil hoping to stretch a gaming session.

After reminding the teacher that he must save all paint work on file, he shouts along with her to count down to the start of a racing game.

Some have moved on to regular computers after training with a large mouse track ball and colour coded keyboards to differentiate numbers and vowels.

The aim is for technology to make them self-reliant in daily life, leisure and education.

But due to high costs, most devices are used at the centre and not adopted in homes. Experts hope collaboration between universities, families, people working in the disability sector and industry will drive down costs and spread use of the devices.

“This technology is not something you can pick up off the shelf and give somebody,” said Isphana Al Khatib, Al Noor’s director.

“Assessments have to be appropriate and require training for families. We also want professionals to understand that working with technology should be a first choice as opposed to a last choice because it can make a huge difference.”

A three-day exhibition aims to showcase the students’ ability and encourage companies to come forward with employment initiatives and training.

Residents can interact with students while they use assistive technology to print a movie ticket, handle a movie screening, prepare and serve coffee and ring up a grocery store bill.

The Al Noor Training Centre’s Assistive TechX exhibition and workshops runs from 10am until 8 pm from Wednesday until Friday.

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Profile

Company name: Marefa Digital

Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

Number of employees: seven

Sector: e-learning

Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019

Investors: Friends and family 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

La Mer lowdown

La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
 

Scores in brief:

  • New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
  • William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
  • Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
  • Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

What is THAAD?

It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.

Production:

It was first created in 2008.

Speed:

THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.

Abilities:

THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".

Purpose:

To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.

Range:

THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.

Creators:

Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.

UAE and THAAD:

In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.

Analysis

Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.

The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement. 

We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment. 

 

Leaderboard

15 under: Paul Casey (ENG)

-14: Robert MacIntyre (SCO)

-13 Brandon Stone (SA)

-10 Laurie Canter (ENG) , Sergio Garcia (ESP)

-9 Kalle Samooja (FIN)

-8 Thomas Detry (BEL), Justin Harding (SA), Justin Rose (ENG)

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year