Accessibility

The Dubai-based airline has become the world’s first officially autism-certified airline, setting a new global benchmark for inclusive air travel. Emirates has become the world’s first officially autism-certified airline, setting a new global benchmark for inclusive air travel. Recognising that flying can be overwhelming for neurodivergent passengers, the Dubai-based carrier has introduced specialised...

By Dr Natalie Thompson Lecturer, Charles Sturt University Australia "One of my biggest learnings from this work is the central importance of an inclusive attitude." I have been working in inclusive education since 2004. I have seen little change despite enormous advocacy, incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable teachers, the emergence of possibilities including those offered by digital technologies, and...

By Amy S. Hewitt Director Institute on Community Integration University of Minnesota For half a century, the US has been achieving one of the most important civil rights victories most Americans have never heard of: closing the large institutions that once warehoused people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1967, nearly 200,000 people lived in state-run facilities that isolated,...

Becoming the most prominent face of the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games did not overwhelm Darwish Al Rashidi; instead, it filled him with great pride. When Darwish sprinted across the track carrying the UAE flag in the promotional video for the Games, he had no idea that moment would make him one of the most recognisable young faces of the event. The video quickly went viral, transforming...

The Zayed Authority for People of Determination has set a Guinness World Record for the longest chain of hanging ribbons in the world, measuring 663.53 meters and consisting of 1,300 ribbons. The artwork was handcrafted by talented individuals from the People of Determination community, with the participation of 13 national entities. The symbolic artwork carries an international message to raise...

Blue Origin made history recently, sending for the first time a person who uses a wheelchair past the Kármán line, an internationally recognized boundary of space that’s 62 miles above Earth. Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, who suffered a spinal cord injury after a mountain biking accident in 2018, and her five teammates, who nicknamed themselves the “Out of the Blue” crew, spent several minutes...

Accessible tourism has ceased to be a niche market and is now one of the fastest-growing segments of the global tourism industry. Accessible tourism has ceased to be a niche market and is now one of the fastest-growing segments of the global tourism industry. With over 1.3 billion people living with disabilities worldwide and an aging population, the demand for accessible travel experiences is rapidly...

Tailored nutrition programs, community initiatives and specialized support for People of Determination form part of strategy for inclusion, early intervention and improved quality of life. Nutrition is a cornerstone of health for everyone—but for People of Determination, it is often a medical, therapeutic, and developmental necessity, not just a lifestyle choice. Recognising this, the UAE has...

Since Dubai Airports became a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower a year ago, it has been committed to improving the travel experiences for People of Determination (POD) hidden disabilities. Collaboration is always the best approach for more significant outcomes. It has resulted in the initiative “We All Meet the World Differently” to support passengers from kerb to boarding, where the...

Tactile Graphics are images that are designed to be touched rather than looked at. Tactile Graphics create a representation of visual images using embossed lines, textures, and Braille labels. When information in a print graphic is important to a tactual reader, a tactile graphic may be developed. The concept and content of the graphic are represented by a set of tactile symbols selected to be easily...