Dubai Health Authority uses simulations to build empathy for people of determination at Access Abilities Expo
By Dubai Currents Staff2 min read
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is offering visitors a chance to step into the world of people with disabilities through three interactive initiatives at the Access Abilities Expo, which opened Monday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The initiatives are designed to move beyond traditional awareness campaigns, allowing people to experience firsthand how individuals with autism, hearing or visual impairments perceive their surroundings and communicate.
Autism simulation dome
One of the exhibits is an immersive dome where visitors spend between one minute and 90 seconds inside a simulation of how someone on the autism spectrum may experience their environment. The goal is to foster empathy by letting participants feel sensory challenges rather than just reading about them.
Dr Hind Al Awadhi, head of health promotion and education at DHA, said the authority wanted visitors to see the world from the perspective of people of determination through interactive experiences.
“Our idea for this exhibition is to let visitors experience reality through the eyes of people of determination,” she said.
Through the simulation, DHA hopes to promote a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and encourage more inclusive interactions with people of determination.
Sign language and Braille learning
Another station features an interactive educational screen that teaches basic words and expressions in sign language. The activity helps visitors practice signing simple phrases to communicate with people who have hearing or speech impairments.
Dr Al Awadhi said the initiative was designed to help visitors better understand sign language and the experiences of people who rely on it to communicate. “Learning even a few basic signs can help make everyday interactions more accessible, particularly in public spaces where people may otherwise struggle to communicate their needs,” she said.
The third initiative focuses on visual accessibility, with DHA presenting awareness material in Braille in both Arabic and English. Visitors can explore how blind or visually impaired people access information, highlighting the importance of making public information available in formats that suit different needs.
Broader healthcare initiatives
DHA’s participation at the expo reflects its wider push to promote health awareness and improve services for people of determination. The authority is also showcasing three larger healthcare programmes: health standards for people of determination, the Sandahum initiative, and a unified medical report.
The health standards set requirements for DHA-licensed healthcare facilities, covering service planning, communication, patient assessment and care, data protection, and emergency preparedness. The Sandahum initiative monitors and raises awareness of healthcare facilities’ compliance with requirements for people of determination, including field inspections on accessibility, facility readiness, priority services, and regulatory compliance.
The unified medical report aims to standardise medical terminology, diagnoses, and functional impact assessments. Linked through the Nabidh health information exchange system with relevant government systems, it is intended to streamline procedures and improve access to related services.
