SCHS Assistive Technology Center Celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day
The Assistive Technologies Center of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) observes Global Accessibility Awareness Day on the third Thursday of May 2023 under the theme "Accessibility in the Work Environment." This day is devoted to promoting accessibility, the idea of universal design, and technology accessibility.
In order to further the objectives of this year's slogan, the center provides a number of activities and workshops for persons with disabilities, their families, and those who work with them.
The commemoration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day aims to emphasize the significance of contemporary and assistive technology in empowering persons with disabilities, according to Ms. Rabab Abdel Wahab, Director of the Assistive Technologies Center. To increase the effectiveness of workers in this profession, it offers possibilities for on-the-job training in assistive technologies. It opens up possibilities for collaboration with local institutions and businesses engaged in the development of assistive and modern technologies, as well as for active engagement in GAAD activities.
Ms. Rabab referred to the events the center would host this month, like a training on preparing for the workplace. The workshop is an effort to raise awareness of the idea of a prepared work environment as well as to meet employees' needs for comfortable task performance and a reduction in workplace accidents.
Additionally, the institute sponsors a competition for students at SCHS in artificial intelligence. About 19 students with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders from SCHS's schools and centers took part in programming different robots using the theoretical framework of 21st-century learning capabilities.
"Among the activities is also the initiative to change the working environment of administrative staff within the parameters for creating a work environment, which aims to raise awareness about the idea of an appropriate work environment, in addition to providing for employees' needs to perform tasks comfortably and decrease work injuries," she continued. Additionally, workshops (Apple Technology Usage Workshop) will be offered for students at the Masarat Center for Development and Empowerment in collaboration with the accessibility specialist.
There are many services offered by the Assistive Technologies Center. The most crucial of them is the assessment, choice, and provision of technical solutions to all those who require them from within or outside the SCHS in collaboration with businesses that offer assistive technologies.