The Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) has launched the first interactive showroom of its kind in the Middle East, at its headquarters in Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi, marking a new step towards supporting People of Determination and promoting innovation in assistive technology.
The new interactive showroom includes several zones, such as the “Innovation Zone,” “Education Zone,” and “Hospitality Zone.” These areas will showcase a wide range of innovative products that facilitate daily life for individuals and businesses.
Among these products is the non-surgical hearing device “HEARNU,” which uses bone conduction technology to assist individuals with hearing impairments. Other innovative technologies designed to support the needs of People of Determination in various fields will also be showcased.
One of the standout features of the showroom is the Autism Virtual Reality Experience, which provides non-autistic individuals with a unique opportunity to experience the sensory challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum. This immersive experience relies on advanced technology to give participants a deeper understanding of the daily challenges faced by individuals with autism, increasing community awareness and fostering empathy for this group.
This initiative is being launched in collaboration with “Topland,” which played a key role in providing the advanced technological solutions that form the foundation of this interactive showroom. This collaboration reflects both parties’ commitment to achieving a shared vision aimed at empowering People of Determination through modern technology.
Through this interactive showroom, ZHO aims to promote innovation in assistive technology, enabling People of Determination to live independently and actively participate in society. In addition to showcasing products, the educational zones will provide workshops and training sessions to help individuals and their families use the technology effectively in their daily lives.
Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of ZHO, said that education is a fundamental pillar, noting that today, in the exhibition area, two interactive rooms have been established. The first simulates autism, a model applied in the United Kingdom, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. This initiative aims to raise awareness among the teaching staff about the factors that help people of determination focus on their learning. It also extends to medical staff, the healthcare sector, and several government bodies, including the police force, as well as the private sector, to raise awareness of how to interact with people of determination.
He explained that the second room is dedicated solely to education and includes more than 350,000 scenarios about practising daily life activities. It trains people of determination on how to cope with challenges, overcome fears, and engage in social integration.
He pointed out that the initiative’s programmes are for trial purposes, followed by specialised training lasting at least one hour to educate trainees on how to manage specific cases.
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