Dubai-based Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs has signed an three-year partnership agreement with Qatar Assistive Technology Center (Mada) to work together to connect people with disabilities with the world of information and communication technology.

This alliance is aimed at promoting the uptake and usage of assistive technologies amongst people with a disability in the Gulf region.

Assistive technologies refer to all the assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and software for people with disabilities, enabling them to perform tasks that they would otherwise find difficult to accomplish.

This partnership is not only aimed at providing devices and training to the individuals enrolled at the school, but also identifying further suitable solutions and collaborating on research and development initiatives.

Mada’s commitment when providing on-going support in terms of training, workshops and live-streaming of events will ensure that all the teachers, assisting staff and volunteers at Al Noor are able to provide the best possible technical support to the children.

Both non profit organizations, Al Noor and Mada are dedicated to working together to connect people with disabilities with the world of information and communication technology.

In their bid to achieve this alliance both parties will work together to provide suitable and available technologies for individuals with special needs.

Commenting on the alliance, Isphana Al Khatib, the director at Al Noor said: "We are privileged to partner with Mada this past year on enhancing the role of ‘Assistive Technology’ in our training program and services. The collaboration has supported advanced training of our staff in this rapidly developing  and exciting field."

"Through structured and organized implementation of technology and related concepts, at multiple levels across the Centre, Al Noor has been able to successfully contribute to Mada’s wider efforts and mandate to spearhead the role and scope of assistive technology for persons with a disability in the Gulf region," Al Khatb stated.

"Of particular interest has been the use of assistive technology in enhancing literacy programs introduced at the Centre," she added.

Established in 2010, Mada actively believes that by opening a virtual door into a world of information and opportunities proves a powerful tool to disabled people who are continuously overcoming social and economic barriers.

By placing assistive technologies in classrooms such as those at Al Noor, thus enabling the children and young people not only to attend classes but to work and communicate with their peers and people from all around the world.

Mada team works closely with the team and children at Al Noor by providing expert advice and assessment on a wide variety of the Assistive Technologies offered through Al Noor’s training programmes.

Mada CEO David Banes said the shared contributions made to emerging Gulf Assistive Technology Network have been crucial in helping to shape priorities for the coming years and in identifying some of the key elements of successful implementation of technology for people with a disability.

Mada looks forward to continued work together in the future to help ensure quality accessible technology for all within the region, it added.-TradeArabia News Service