UAE Chapter Launch
Mohammed: Hello everyone, my name is Mohammed Loufty, I work as Senior Advisor and Capacity Building and Advocacy at the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs. And I also work with the International Association for Accessibility Professionals as their Executive Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa region. It's my great pleasure here to welcome you all for our launching of our IAAP chapter in the UAE. Here alongside with our representatives SEDRA, represented by Renate Baur-Richter. And just before we get started with our panel here this morning. I would like to
introduce to you what IAAP does. IAAP is a place where world experts on accessibility come together to define promote and improve accessibility issues. IAAP offers a broad array of certification programs and follow up on that with a continuation of education for accessibility experts, and we are so happy here to be together to launch our chapter in the UAE with SEDRA, and I would like to turn it over to Renate to take us through the panel this morning. Thank you very much. Renate: Mohammed, thank you so much for this kind introduction and I think what you just mentioned about the mission of IAAP is really so much aligned with the work that SEDRA Foundation has been doing since nearly the last 10 years. So welcome everyone to this exciting launch of the
UAE, chapter, and I would like to kick off us with a short introduction to SEDRA Foundation. SEDRA is a quite agile driver of change in the UAE and beyond. When it comes to the rights of people of determination participation in the community access to the workplace, and active participation in the community and all of this, obviously, touches upon the work of IAAP, and as a nonprofit organization, SEDRA is in a unique position to create innovative programs, policies, and initiatives with our partners in the public and private sector. In addition to the direct services for people of determination.
People of determination as you might be aware, is the UAE in term for people with disabilities. Our collaborations across multiple sectors, built the basis for a robust and trusted partnership for the UAE chapter, and the current strategic development of the UAEs knowledge and service economy is perfectly mirrored in our ongoing projects and initiatives. So as a representative of one of the most relevant topics that we have in the UAE, when we talk about access is the access to built environment and at this point I would like to bring in Tina Merk. Tina Merk is an architectural designer specialized in exactly our topics, health, age care and universal design. And
she has a tremendous body of knowledge, when it comes to the access needs in the UAE and beyond, but also to the actual status. So I welcome Tina Mac and would like to hear from you. What is the current status of the built environment, what do you expect to change, and what is the impact on the tourism sector? Tina, the floor is yours. Tina: Thank you very much for the nice introduction. So yeah, I've been active in the UAE since 2013, and I have seen a tremendous change when it comes to the built environment. And it all started with implementing building guidelines. So right now, we have building guidelines of course in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but at the same time the building guidelines actually gave the people in the UAE some kind of framework. So, architects, planners have to stick to the
building guidelines. They are now more or less unified, so we don't have, for example, guidelines from the US mixed with guidelines from the UK and the way how people interpret in their individual way, so to say. But now we have also a guideline, where people actually have to stick to it. So, to ensure that the built environment will be actually inclusive. At the same time, we've seen that more and more budget is dedicated to transform the existing built environment into an inclusive environment, especially, we can see it in Dubai, we can see it in Abu Dhabi. We can also see that for existing buildings that there is a demand to assess them,
to audit them in order to see where, where are we right now, what do we have to do, what can we do. Of course, to transform the city or a building into an inclusive building will not happen overnight. It will require budget, it will require time, but at least it is a start, and I could see that, especially in the UAE that they have a tremendous change since the implementation of the building guidelines. However, I also have to say that we can have the most inclusive environments. If we don't train people at the same time, and I don't necessarily mean the training of planners and designers, I also mean training of the maintenance or the people who are responsible for the maintenance. Cleaning stuff, for example, the attitudinal or to overcome attitudinal barriers, for example, and at the same time when I try to have an inclusive environment, it would be automatically sustainable and also accessible and inclusive for tourism. At the same time, if I try to focus on certain
tourist destinations to make them accessible to citizens and residents will benefit from it at the same time. So it's, it's a win win situation, and we can clearly see the benefits of having guidelines in the UAE. Because also see that there is a huge awareness of it. There are huge awareness campaigns. For example, there was a strategy or is a strategy in Abu Dhabi, for people of determination 2020 to 2024. Where Abu Dhabi tried to bring all the government entities, and stakeholders together to develop strategies, and at the same time. So, too. Yeah, to develop more inclusive environments overall.
This includes the training, this includes the tourism sector, the transportation sector. The events I've mentioned, for example, we have currently the expo 2020 - 2021 in Dubai right now, where the sunflower linear, for example, was launched, or we have introduced the quiet hour in Abu Dhabi. So, all of those things happens, which are beneficial for the residents, but at the same time, also for tourists, of course. Renate: That's fantastic you know to have those insights from you and how the implementation of policies and international standards are absolutely and clearly linked to positive outcomes, beyond pure guidelines. It really has an effect on the population on the accessible tourism sector. And on the overall ability to participate in the quality of life and you mentioned, transport, right. So, this is a perfect segue to our next panelist Ingemar Fredriksson. And Ingemar is really the beacon of inclusive and accessible transport in Abu Dhabi, and the UAE. Ingemar has
launched the concept many years ago and was and is still a trail blazer for the potential, and the positive impacts that really trickles down on so many levels of the society. So, Ingemar in listening to Tina. What would be your status report or your gap analysis, when you think about accessible tourism in the region. And what do you think is required to attract more
tourists from all over the world. Really, joining and traveling to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Ingemar: In the first, first I would like to start with say I agree with Tina. What people sometimes miss is that whatever you do for the tourist also the locals will benefit. So, it's a win win, you win on both ends. But the good thing when you have new and innovative inclusive solutions like we have a paratransit or non-emergency medical transport, then the tourist you meet they are overwhelmed, they're like, wow, this we didn't expect in Abu Dhabi. So, you really build the bandwidth base by being very inclusive, and we surprised so many people with this kind of transport from US, Germany, UK, everywhere, and they get the really good impression of UAE. And what that service does is kind of help some
of the bad things with the infrastructure because that is also accessible for wheelchairs in UAE today, where, when you add this service there's no problem anymore and they can move free. The reason we did this initially was that we normally work with the public sector but then we found that they weren't mature yet to take on the service here. And then I found the report from World Tourist Organization that identify this niche of accessible tourists, or as I prefer to call it, inclusive tours. Because what we define as an inclusive service
is access. The difference between accessibility and inclusion is that accessible is making it possible. Inclusion is making it happen. And making it happen, needs so much more. Just because something it's accessible it doesn’t need to be used for example and attitudes with people, you need to change, there's so many things to really get to the point of real inclusion in society. Anyway, so we found this niche and we started to targeted it and we had really good growth for three consecutive years and primarily with the cruise ship tourists, plenty of them, and really appreciative. Oh, then came the pandemic, of course, but in a way that now businesses are starting to pick up again, I think this sector will be even more interesting after the pandemic. And the reason is because all the big tour operators that we work with the TUI, Budget Holiday, now they introduced infection prevention control routines, so that makes it safer for people with disabilities than it was before the pandemic, right. This has always been a vulnerable group, but now there would be
safer ways of handling infection of all kinds. So that's, that's why I think that it's really going to grow and also in that report I mentioned from World Tourist Organization, they identify that in 2000, there was 11% of the population was over 60 in the world. 2050, they expect that will double to 22% of the population. That's 2 billion people that will need better accessibility. So, I think the future for this kind of tourists and for people that are older, it's needed. It's a real necessity for the world to improve this, not only for people in wheelchair because I mean when you say accessibility often think about wheelchairs, but you also I mean, you break your leg, you're 30 and you break your leg temporary, you need accessible solutions. You get pregnant, you get fat, you get babies,
whatever. All of these situations you need more accessible environments. So, we shouldn't just think about wheelchairs, there's so many others that benefits from these kinds of solutions. And therefore, I think it's a really good thing to go for this. And also, the business cases coming. That's what we seeing, the industry needs to wake up and create concepts for people. And it's good business, especially when you combine it with the public sector. And
that's why we now recently started this concept in Stockholm too. Before we only did the public sector trips, but now we open a big branch for the inclusive transport for all kinds of people. We already got bookings from US and everywhere. There are, there is a niche and there are some players
who specialize in these kind of tourists, but also the big cruise companies are very accessible. And the biggest complaint that the people on determination have is when it comes to tourists. The number one complaint they have is local transport. That's the top of the list. That's number four on other tourist’s complaints list. That's number one to people of determination. So, I think there’s great opportunities for this in the future.
Renate: Excellent, thank you so much. So, I'm just listening to you and looking at the report that you mentioned and also on the, the feedback that we received from service providers and companies working in the hospitality and event industry is indeed that accessible or inclusive, transportation, and accessible buildings and events on all levels, are decisive factor when they make their decisions right for any destination. Ingemar: Can I add something more that Tina said that I like? It's like very important thing is also to train the people. That's the key. I mean, they have taxis here, who can take wheelchair but the drivers don't, they have their own attitude. They get special pay and you need to be trained to handle people like this. So therefor we only recruited from hospitality or health care because they have the right mindset. You know, you don't need just a driver to handle these
kinds of services. You need really a good attitude on people, people who like people basically. Renate: Absolutely. And I think this is really part of this equation right. That on the one hand we need those international standards. So, we are able to audit the ecosystem, the transport,
the information system, the built environment. But the other part of the equation is indeed the kind of added attitudinal change that we need to see in people and this often happens when those standards are indeed implemented, right, because then there is already incentives and then now also clear guidelines. So, talking about those clear guidelines. I would like to bring in Lourdes, who is champion of the MENA, CPABE initiatives and talk about this newly launched service and standards that might, exactly, bring this one part of the equation, to the MENA region, Lourdes, please. Lourdes: Thank you, Renate. Yeah, thanks. So, yeah, part of contributing to this, what they, they just mention about the accessible built environment as a first step toward inclusive tourists. Right. IAAP, the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, has prepared a certification for professionals in accessible built environment. This credential
is committed to recognize those professionals who have acquired the knowledge and the skills to implement an accessible built environments around the world. Right. This is because, as it was mentioned, there is a standard, there is always regulations or documents as a, as a reference to do a place accessible right, but not all the professionals have the right skills, right. So, what we are aiming to do with this certification is ensure that those professionals who are leading these accessibility projects are really meeting the required skills to develop them and then they really are having an overview of what is required for, in order to ensure an accessible built environment. You know that this is a key piece for the tourists right because it's not long, only talking about the hotel but it's everything. Is the airport right, the train station, all, all the pieces that include doing a trip, right, how do I start the trip. How, if I want to go to the opera, if I want to go to the concert. I mean, the public places, the public spaces also that
involves accessible tourists right so what we want to do, and that we are sure that through this new chapter that we are launching, we will be ensuring to help to foster in the region that all the professionals that are leading these accessibility projects are having the right certification to deliver their projects. Renate: Excellent. And I think this is really one of the most crucial stepping stones towards a more established standard of accessibility in the region as this is indeed missing. We have, we see particularly here in the GCC a full array of self-claimed and sometimes self-taught experts in accessibility who bring varying degrees of expertise and competences to the playing field and, I think, also, to safeguard people's determination and to support public and private representatives and initiatives. We need to establish an international standard, which of course can be always adapted according to the local and national needs and strategic decisions but to have this joint standard I think it's really important and would really accelerate the quality of life and services here in the region tremendously.
And at this point, so thank you Lourdes for this. I think this is really important to have this full picture. And at this point, I think it's really a perfect opportunity to bring in, Sam Evans, who is leading the certifications of IAAP on different levels. And this is exactly the missing piece in our discussion so far. So, Sam if you could share more information on the different certificates. Sam: Thank you for making time for us to join you today. We're so excited to support the launch of the IAAP UAE chapter. Lourdes has had an opportunity to share with you a bit about the Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments, which is, I think will be of the most interest to the goals of the UAE chapter.
Let me speak just for a moment about high level overview about certifications and how IAAP delivers those levels of establishment of knowledge, our certification programs are all professional certifications so they're voluntary. They're not tied to a course or a class or an educational outcome. So, they are an assessment of knowledge that the candidate brings with them. So, it is a way for individuals, companies, organizations and groups to establish a shared bit of knowledge, a shared understanding of concepts, terms and policies and procedures. So our certifications are valid for three years, and they require the person who holds the credential to maintain their certification by engaging in learning active professional development or leading the learning themselves by sharing their knowledge. So they're valid for three
years and can be renewed after someone sits and writes the exam and then earns their credential. Renate: Fantastic. And it's truly, truly enlightening and exciting at the same time to see on how many levels IAAP is tackling the acceleration of accessibility and setting standards, and I have a final question for you, Sam. That we hear quite often from organizations and experts working with us and looking at the
certifications. They would like to know who is the body of experts who is defining the certifications and adapting it and updating it. Sam: So, great question. So, certification orgs, organizations that offer certifications, credentials, have a governing body that oversees the policies administrations and development, and so we do have a Certification Committee, and that is created, I think we have 13 members around the world that have specialties in each of the different domains of accessibility inclusion, and they are guiding group that oversees how the programs and certification delivery is managed. Now we have specialists for each certification that are subject matter experts that work and have long lasting experience in each of the topic areas. So, these people are the ones
that develop the concept. The concept is called a job task analysis originally. What are the things, somebody who does this work would be expected to do, and that we expect someone has the capacity to deliver on. And so those concepts are originally put together with subject matter experts, and then a survey is created, and that is justified and validated by people in the public, saying yes we agree. This is something that the minimally qualified candidate can do,
should know how to do. And it's important and they give us a weighted importance of those job tasks. From that we build the body of knowledge and from there we then develop the certification exam. With the help of scientists that specialize in exam creation, etc.
But we do revise those and we revisit the content every year and a half at the year and a half to two years depending on how things go to revisit anything that's listed in the body of knowledge and the exam for updates, new item writing, updating links and resources. And then every few years, depending on what happens in the market and then in the world, every three to five years to revisit that original job task list, to see if there are other things that needed to be added. Are these concepts still relevant to the candidate that this is geared towards. So, it's a really interesting process and, and it's far more advanced than writing a few sets of questions so, but we really call on our international subject matter experts who live, eat, work and breathe this as disabled people as subject matter experts and accessibility professionals to help guide and craft and maintain these programs. Renate: Super. I think this was really a really relevant information to round up all the great introduction
that you gave us. Thank you so much, Sam. Sam: You’re very welcome. Thank you. Renate: And before we are wrapping up and, as this is the start of a new year. I would like to bring back our regional experts, Tina, Ingemar and Mohammed, and would like to hear from them in a short statement. What do you expect in 2022 for your specific area of work when it comes to accessibility and services and opportunities for people of determination. Tina, would you like to get started.
Tina: Yes, I would like to get started but at the same time I want to add something. When it comes to, to the certification system. What is very very important is that you don't, or that you not just only involve someone consultant to check your drawings in the design phase, especially what I've noticed from my experience that you invoke this person also doing the tendering process during the construction process, and at the same time, also in the handle the process, because this is where you, where the mistakes happen. I mean I can have the best design. But if the procurement does not allow accessibility or accessibility, it's not part of human process, then it might not be accessible. I mean I've seen for example,
hitch support bars. When I lift them up, they just fall down and can actually hit someone. So, it is very important and what I hope to see is that accessibility or universal design is implemented throughout all building phases, and at the same, which also includes the maintenance. And at the same time also accessibility or included or universal designed to be included in the procurement process, and that the municipalities are involved when the building will be handed over, and also check if the building is actually accessible, or universally designed. So, this is what I hope for the future. Talking about my experience.
Renate: Thank you so much that's hopefully at the end of this upcoming year we meet again, and hopefully all your expectations, will be met. Mohammed, what is on your wish list for 2022 and what do we expect for the region? Mohammed, I can't hear you. You might be muted. Mohammed: Can you hear me now? Renate: Yeah, perfect. Mohammed:
Perfect. Well, I was saying that, as IAAP now is expanding in the region, starting with this wonderful opportunity of launching our chapter in UAE in partnership with SEDRA and it's also, and the chapter members there. We're hoping to start seeing that all stakeholders, with regard to rights of persons with disabilities, particularly in the field of business, banking, industrial sector, tourism, as we are now. You know, presenting this through the International Accessible Tourism Summit, and beyond to see all the all of them realizing that accessibility and inclusion are not beneficial only for persons with disabilities but it's also beneficial for everybody. As Ingemar said, rightly so that inclusion and accessibility, are very important to enabling everybody to enjoy opportunity of tourism, and especially nowadays with the world is more recognizing Rights of Persons with Disabilities, thanks to the CRPD, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the habit at three when we advocated for including disability in the habit at three now we have around 15 times disability as mentioned and having at three on urban development, this is an excellent segue for making sure that disability is part of every single aspect of urban development tourism accessibility and beyond. Thank you. Renate: Thank you, Mohammed. And I think you really described it and framed
it perfectly that accessibility is part of every aspect of urban life. So, Ingemar, your expectations, wish list for 2022. Ingemar: Well, obviously for tourists to pick up, the pandemic be gone soon. We have had enough strains now I don't want another one, everyone vaccine, let's move on.
And it's also important for the recovery of the economy because tourism is 10% of our GDP, is 10% of the budget GDP and one in 11 jobs is in tourism. In the UAE is 30% of the economy, in Thailand it’s 25%, Bali 85%. So tourism is really needed. Accessible tourism will help that because every, people of determination that travel, bring an average of 2.3. The trend in tourists models wise is fixed for free and independent traveler, people travel individually right. Whereas people of determination can’t, and they don't so attract one of them you get 2.4 as the result. And now with all the routines come in, they,
they can travel safer, and they also have big budgets. I mean, as I said, 2015, we're going to be 20% of the world's population, and many of them are just old and need some accessible solutions. And they have plenty of money, so it's a good investment to go for accessibility especially now. It will help recovery of the economy and the growth of the economy for the future.
So, it's a good timing for it. Renate: Absolutely, thank you and you built a perfect business case that is also the, the foundation for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, right. The right to participate, the rights to contribute and accessibility and the opportunity and the capacity to travel to wherever they, people of determination want to go, is I think an empty, part of it so it's not only a nice and relevant business case as you mentioned, it's also really the manifestation of the Rights of Persons of determination. Really, I'm so impressed by all the insights, and the overviews we had in the last minutes and as we all know, people of determination, people with disabilities often don't get the services they need from the public, from the service providers, from corporates. And that's the message, I think all of us, heard from people we are working from our own experience and we all wrestle with those quite complex challenges, ranging from as Tina mentioned, implementing accessibility already in the procurement process to adding accessibility, as a standard in the tourism industry also to tap into new markets, and we heard it all before Mohammed that accessibility is and should be a part of daily life in all aspects. And I'm so glad that we had Sam and Lourdes joining us, adding the and outlining the opportunities, how to get those standards here into the UAE, and I think with all this drove of knowledge and all those pioneers, change drivers, integrators, and advocates here on the call. I'm so confident and positive that the UAE chapter will definitely bring a different
kind of quality to the UAE and beyond and I'm so glad that so many committed experts are part of this. Thank you so much for this. Looking forward to all the next steps. Thank you.
2022-01-20 05:11
