Architecture of Disability: Emirates NBD ‘Emirati Leaders’ Journal by Abdallah Najia

Contributors:

Mohammad Khamis Abdullah Lutfi Saif Saeed Manar Al Hammadi

Abdullah Hareb Kaltham Al Matrooshi Hareb Mohammed

Emirati Leaders â&#x20AC;&#x153;#TogetherLimitlessâ&#x20AC;? 2016

Introduction

Like a person. Like you would treat any other person and most importantly, the way you would appreciate being treated. While the answer goes without saying, the question is symptomatic of a certain malaise some of us face when confronted with disability. We tend to focus on the disability and escalate it to a communication barrier rather than seeing the individual through their character, personality and achievements. With such realization comes the awareness of a need to change the public’s perceptions and reactions, all while improving the quality of life for those with disability— an effort that Dubai has been harnessing through support programs, institutions and infrastructure, with the policy to become one of world’s most disabled-friendly cities by 2020. The endeavor embodies the belief of UAE’s leaders that all citizens can participate in a country’s development and seeks to establish equal access to education, employment and community participation based on international standards and best practices.

Here we take a closer look at concrete examples of how the strategy is deployed, not only at the governmental level but also through corporate practices, institutional initiatives and individual projects. Emirates NBD’s campaign #TogetherLimitless is one of the tools for dissolving social barriers as it promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and offers adapted banking solutions.

We also celebrate Emirati leaders whose disabilities have not been obstacles to great success stories. We meet public figures, accomplished businessmen / businesswomen and those who have been enabling their success to discuss their everyday challenges, the fruits they have reaped, and their lookout on how Dubai is becoming more accessible and flexible.

Introduction

Title

How do you treat a person with a disability?

Emirates NBD “#TogetherLimitless”

Emirates NBD, the leading bank in the UAE, has continually played an impactful role in the community through its heavy engagement in CSR activities through an extensive corporate responsibility strategy focused on advocating for people with disabilities, financial literacy, women’s empowerment, environment, and health and wellness.

#TogetherLimitless gives strength and support to the entire community. Through education, knowledge, and redefining the status quo, #TogetherLimitless helps make it simpler for people with disabilities and those without to live, thrive, and reach higher goals. It stands for empowerment as well as enables it. #TogetherLimitless aims to blur the line between abled and disabled, redefine the term “disabled” altogether and to be inclusive in all its communication, strategies, and goals. Togetherness is one of its pillars because it is what makes people united and invested, this feeling that nothing ever accomplished is accomplished alone. #TogetherLimitless is not meant to benefit one group of individuals – it benefits the whole community. This pillar of commitment allows people to remember that every small part of a whole has a cause and effect on its surroundings. This program is future-driven, presentinspired, and always evolving. It connects people, places, institutions, and the society as a whole. Investing in people with disabilities means tapping into a niche with infinite potential. #TogetherLimitless optimizes the community’s resources and builds social capital to increase the collective value of society. It is a virtuous circle – the more inclusive people are, the more they get in return. This leads to a sustainable society that will thrive for all-time and independent of others’ help.

−−− 1. Emirates NBD, #TogetherLimitless

Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD is committed to supporting a world where there are no barriers for people with disabilities to achieve the same dreams and potential as everyone.

Glossary

Accessible (parking) Able to be reached, entered, navigated by people with disabilities. Autism A neurological and developmental disorder characterized by a difficulty in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and an inability to understand abstract concepts. Braille A tactile reading and writing system used by people with visual impairment. Invented in 1824 by Louis Braille, braille is printed on embossed paper, where each letter is a square box inside which the palpable bumps differentiate one letter from another. Down Syndrome Also called Trisomy 21—occurs when an individual has a partial or full additional copy of the chromosome 21. The extra genetic material affects the mental and physical development of the child. Hearing Impairment The incapacity to hear sounds. Hearing impairment can affect one or both ears to different levels, and is the result of various factors, including genetics, infections, and age. Learning Disability Or intellectual disability—a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the learning capabilities of an individual, whose IQ score is usually under 70. Physical Disability Any condition that affects a person’s mobility. It can be present at birth, the result of genetic disorders, or the consequence of an injury. Poliomyelitis A highly infectious disease affecting the nervous system of young children and leading to various degrees of neurological damage, from muscle weakness to paralysis.. Speech impairment A communication disorder that presents different levels, from a difficulty to produce certain sounds to a complete inability to speak. Vision impairment The decreased ability to see, to a degree that cannot be corrected by usual means such as surgery, glasses or lenses. Vision impairment can exist at various degrees—partial or total, in the latter case it is referred to as blindness.

Do’s and dont’s for dealing with and referring to disability

Do’s:

Put the person first. Say ‘a person with autism’ rather than ‘an autistic person’. They are not defined by their disability. When you meet a person with disability, speak directly to the person, not to the assistant. Use the term ‘accessible’ when referring to places and infrastructure. Eg ‘accessible parking’ instead of ‘handicapped parking’. Avoid treating adults with disabilities as kids and patronising them. Avoid using euphemisms such as ‘physically challenged’ or ‘confined to a wheelchair’. Avoid offering unsolicited help. More often than not, people don’t need it. What they need is your acceptance and friendship. Same goes for offering advice to the parents; they are well informed individuals.

Dont’s:

Do not change your tone or use a different language because you are speaking to a person with disability. Disability does not equal low IQ. Do not assume that people with disabilities are inferior. Do not pity or over-dramaticise a person’s life because of their disability. Do not qualify people without disabilities as ‘normal’. Don’t use the terms ‘handicapped’, ‘victim’, ‘retarded’, ‘stricken’, ‘poor’, ‘unfortunate’ or ‘special needs.’ Do not stare. It makes the person with the disability and the parent very uncomfortable.

Do’s and Dont’s

Glossary

Choice of words matters. It is the first step to establishing harmonious, respectful interactions with people around you. Here is a glossary that brings awareness to commonly used language when it comes to referring to disability.

Do’s and Dont’s

Mohammad Khamis

Q. Describe yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and what do you do for fun?

To treat us like any other person. The person who has the ability to do something will accomplish something.

Q. How did you get to know the Dubai Club for Disabled?

Mohammad Khamis

I am Mohammad Khamis Khalaf. I am 47, live in Dubai and am a power-lifter and an athlete in the UAE national team. At the Rio Paralympic games this year, I lifted 220 kg and won the gold medal for my country. This was my fifth participation at the games and my second gold medal. I work at Dubai Courts in the Electronic Archive and in my free time, I most enjoy training in the gym, at the Dubai Club for Disabled.

Q. What would you say to people who are uncomfortable talking to you because they don’t know your disability?

I heard about it from my friends in 1988 and I joined this club in 1990. And when coach Titou Kacem came to this place in 1992 he founded the team and changed my life. He was the one who convinced me to dedicate myself to athleticism. Q. What do you think of UAE’s efforts to make the city more accessible for people with disabilities? Everything is available now. Before there were things that were missing. But now with the efforts of the government officials, the federation, and the club, everything is being provided for the disabled. In the 1990s there was little equipment in the gym. We used to train on just two machines and just one bench so we had to take turns. The achievements we made with the help of the media had us recognised by government officials and people gave more attention to the sport. Before, I used to struggle with transportation. But now with the bus and metro accessible for the disabled it became more comfortable for me to move around the city. Also, everything is provided for the disabled in the club and even in our houses. Q. What is your greatest achievement? Winning gold in Rio is a big achievement. But I think my biggest moment was when HH Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum personally congratulated me after I won the gold medal.

−−− 1. Mohammad, Paralympic Champion Power-lifter

Mohammad Khamis

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Mohammad Khamis

“The person who has the ability to do something will accomplish something.”

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−−− 1. Mohammad on the training bench 2. Mohammad proudly displaying his Gold Medal, from the Rio Paralympics 2016

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Abdullah Lutfi

Q. Describe yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and what do you do for fun? I am Abdullah Eissa Lufti but you can just call me A.L. I am 22 and I am an artist at Mawaheb, an art studio for young adults with special needs. On Thursdays I like to hang out with my cousins; we play Playstation and drive around in buggies. My other passion is Japan. I love to go there every year, Tokyo is my favorite place.

Today I was working on an abstract sculpture inspired by an artist named Lee Krasner. Before that, I created other works inspired by Giacometti, Frida Kahlo, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. In my art I like to focus on drawing outlines, this is my specialty. Q. What do you enjoy the most about Mawaheb? Being recognized as an artist and creating paintings by myself, instead of being told what to do. Q. What is your greatest achievement? I was invited to meet H.H. Sheikh Nahyan and presented him with a black and white canvas I had created for him. Q. What would you say to people who are uncomfortable talking to you because of your disability? To accept me the way I am and not make fun of me. In my school people used to make fun of me and that made me angry. I felt like I really hated normal people. At Mawaheb, they accept me the way I am: an artist, not as a person with autism.

−−− 1. Abdullah, an artist at Mawaheb

Abdullah Lutfi

Q. Tell me about your art.

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Abdullah Lutfi

“I see myself as a muscle man with super powers, wearing a straw hat and a black shirt with a defender skull on it.”

−−− 1. Artwork by Abdullah Lutfi 2. Abdullah describing his artworks

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Saif Saeed

Q. Describe yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and what do you do for fun?

Q. Tell me about your disability. I don’t feel like I have a disability. I feel like I’m a part of the society. Q. What is your greatest achievement? I am proud of achieving my sales targets and of having become part of the Marketing team. Q. What are future?

your

ambitions

for

the

My dream was to become a policeman, which I was not able to achieve. Today my ambition is for my son to follow this path and become a policeman. Q. To those who feel uncomfortable speaking to you because of your disability, what would you say? I went to talk about myself and my job on a live show for Al Dafrah TV, and was asked, what my message is to others. I will use the same answer here: work, work, work.

−−− 1. Saif by some home and garden products

Saif Saeed

My name is Saif Saeed, I am married and have an 8 year old son who goes to school now. I started working for Desert Group in 2006 and have been helping salesmen in a plant nursery near Khawaneej. Now I am in Sales and Marketing for ENABLE, the social enterprise created by Desert Group where home and garden products are created by my colleagues and friends. I look after the sales but also our social media and I create brochures. I enjoy meeting customers and showing them around. For fun I do karate and participate in competitions.

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−−− 1. Saif by some home and garden products 2. Saif with two of his

Saif Saeed

colleagues, Abdullah Hareb and Hareb Mohammed

“I don’t feel like I have a disability. I feel like I’m a part of the society.”

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Manar Al Hammadi

Q. Describe yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and what do you do for fun?

Q. What are your ambitions for the future? To obtain a PhD in Law and to share the awareness of dealing with blind people and how to make their lives better.

My name is Manar Al Hammadi. I am the first blind lawyer in the Gulf region. I have a Master Degree in Law from Sharjah University and have been working at the Ministry of Justice for 8 years, where I have specialized in government cases. I am a volunteer at the Emirates Association of Blind in Sharjah, where I teach writing and reading braille.

I wanted to help the people and my country.

Manar Al Hammadi

Q. How did you decide to become a lawyer?

Q. Have you ever faced difficulties in your job, because of your disability? How did you overcome them? When I get cases I have to get someone to help me read them because they usually come in hard copies. Also, the buildings I go to aren’t well prepared for blind people. Some places are but still the culture of dealing with blind people isn’t there. 1

Q. What would you say to people who are uncomfortable talking to you because of your disability? Some people don’t know how to talk to me, maybe they think I can’t talk or are afraid because of my disability. The key is for me to initiate communication with them. I often do interventions in schools, where I give advice on how to communicate with people who have disabilities. Q. What do you think of UAE’s efforts to a disabled-friendly city by 2020? The government wants people with disabilities to feel comfortable to work and contribute to society. To reach this goal, they are putting a lot of very helpful programs in place, which is remarkable. Q. What is your greatest achievement? To have received my Master Degree in Law, as well as two awards: in 2011, I received the Sheikha Shamsa bint Suhail award for the creative women and in 2012, I won the Prime Minister’s medal for employees.

−−− 1. Manar, the first blind lawyer in the Gulf region

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Manar Al Hammadi

“I wanted to help the people and my country.”

−−− 1. Manar is a volunteer at the Emirates Association of The Visually Impaired

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Abdullah Hareb

Q. Describe yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and what do you do for fun? My name is Abdullah Hareb, I am 30 years old. Before I joined the ENABLE team, I worked in different stages of the planting process as well as cleaning. Now I enjoy working with flowers of different colours and making small decorations.

The most important thing for me is to make my parents happy, because of the work I do here. I am also excited to have made friends at work. One time, I traveled to Egypt with my colleague Hareb. Q. What are future?

your

ambitions

for

the

When I am at work, I think a lot about the future: business, money, how to keep in touch with my friends and colleagues. I would also like to open a small shop with my flower creations. Q. To those who feel uncomfortable speaking to you because of your disability, what would you say? I’d like them to know that people with disability can work and be productive.

−−− 1. Abdullah, a member of the ENABLE team

Abdullah Hareb

Q. What is your greatest achievement?

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Abdullah Hareb

“People with disability can work and be productive.”

−−− 1. Some of Abdullah’s plant and flower creations

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Kaltham Al Matrooshi

My name is Kaltham, I am 50 years old and I live in Ajman. I am an administrative manager for 6 primary healthcare centres, as well as a member of the Emirates Association for Human Rights. I am the President of the Al Thiqah Club for the Handicapped. Established in 1978, the club aims at rehabilitating the handicapped culturally, socially, and physically. In October, I attended the first exhibition for handicraft arts for women in Qatar, where I spoke about the club and women empowerment.

What are future?

your

ambitions

Before the accident, I used to drive. Afterwards, I was afraid and my family had to drive me around and wait for me wherever they dropped me until I had finished my errands. At some point I decided to break this fear and become independent again, to drive to work by myself. I had to take lessons again for a specialized car. The first lesson was tough but I made it and now am able to drive long distances, to Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi for example. Q. What would you say to people who are uncomfortable talking to you because of your disability?

Q. What is your greatest achievement? To have come back to life after my accident, thanks to rehabilitation and the support of my family and friends; to have found another way of experiencing life.

the

I strive to support the ladies who are members of the Al Thiqah Club, so that they become stronger and one day are leaders.

Q. You lost the use of your legs after a road accident in 1990, and it took you over a decade to get behind the wheel again. How did you overcome the fear of driving?

I would tell them, if you want to know about me, ask me. Despite our disabilities, we are still alive. We still have the chance to experience so many things. To make ourselves understood, we need to share and communicate with our friends, family, and with the people in our surroundings.

for

Kaltham Al Matrooshi

Q. Describe yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and what do you do for fun?

â&#x2C6;&#x2019;â&#x2C6;&#x2019;â&#x2C6;&#x2019; 1. Kaltham, an administrative manager for 6 primary healthcare centres

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−−−

Kaltham Al Matrooshi

1. Kaltham greets some members of the Al Thiqah Club

“Despite our disabilities, we are still alive. We still have the chance to experience so many things.”

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Hareb Mohammed

Q. Describe yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and what do you do for fun? My name is Mohammed, I am 26 years old. I work at ENABLE and make garden and home decoration products. I am a registered UAE Gold medalist in the UAE official Paralympics team in sprint racing. Because of that, my surname is Antelope of Emirates. I train daily at the Dubai Club for the Disabled.

Hareb Mohammed

Q. What is your greatest achievement? I felt very excited when I won the gold medal in sprint at the Fazza Heritage Championships, a competition with participants from the Arab region. Q.

What are future?

your

ambitions

for

the

I am thinking of opening my own shop, where people can buy flowers but also have coffee. Q.

To those who feel uncomfortable speaking to you because of your disability, what would you say?

My message is to please come visit us, talk to us, and you will understand that we also have a lot of abilities. 1

−−− 1. Hareb, a registered Gold medalist in the UAE official Paralympics team and a member of the ENABLE team

Hareb Mohammed

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Hareb Mohammed

“Talk to us, and you will understand that we also have a lot of abilities.”

−−− 1. Hareb with two of his colleagues, Abdullah Hareb and Saif Saeed 2. Hareb completing one of his garden products

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Architecture of Disability “We have a moral duty to remove the barriers to participation for people with disabilities, and to invest sufficient funding and expertise to unlock their vast potential” Stephen Hawking

The next time you are required to interact with architecture or the public realm – enter a building, shop at a mall or supermarket, eat at a restaurant, or watch a movie at a cinema – consider your interaction with the space. If you are not a person with disabilities, chances are this experience would seem rather seamless, intuitive, or even mundane. This is hardly ever the case for people with disabilities, who often have to overcome countless architectural and design-induced obstacles that ablebodied individuals seldom have to consider, if at all. The reason for this is that the approach to accessibility and inclusivity in architecture and design is often misguided. Through interacting with the built environment, it is evident that accessibility in design, on the seemingly rare chance that it is considered, is expressed in terms of functionality – a ‘feature’ incorporated to meet contemporary buildings standards or corporate social responsibility requirements. Specific projects do exist that exemplify how innovation can be used to produce spaces that are both accessible and inclusive, and are considerate of people with disabilities. Rem Koolhas’ Maison Bordeaux is one such example – a private house that is designed to prioritize wheelchair mobility, and exemplifies that design integrity can be honored while promoting a holistic and accessible environment. Another similar example is Hazelwood School in Glasgow, designed by Alan Dunlop Architects for students that are dual-sensory impaired; the design of the school pronounces three core senses (touch, smell, and taste) to promote an atmosphere of independence and inclusivity for its students. 1

Sanjana Malhotra, “Architecture & Design for the Disabled”, http://www.

arch2o.com/architecture-design-disabled/

Such examples are evidence that designing for disability is a chance for creativity, expression and innovation, rather than a functional extension that can simply be added on at the end of projects. However, these projects are also ad hoc examples, highlighting a real lack of consideration for disability when it comes to the public realm and architecture on a larger scale. The Emirate of Dubai is currently taking substantial strides towards addressing some of the issues that people with disabilities face on a daily basis, in an effort to become one of the world’s most disability-friendly cities by 2020. This multidisciplinary initiative, aptly named ‘My Community…A City For Everyone’, looks to provide the community with an accessible and inclusive day-to-day environment through essential interventions on varying platforms. In line with this vision, Emirates NBD has launched its own advocacy platform, #TogetherLimitless, which works to break down barriers that people with disabilities face, and promote inclusive environments that encourage the community to live up to their potential. Some of the efforts that have stemmed from the #TogetherLimitless platform include redesigning certain Emirates NBD branches to make them more accessible, and a Careers Network service, in partnership with Manzil and Sustainable Square, which facilitates the employment process for people with disabilities.

Architecture of Disability

Disability in Architecture and the Public Realm

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Architecture of Disability in Dubai The UAE’s efforts to provide an inclusive and constructive environment for people with disabilities are clearly visible, not least in the UAE Disability Law (Federal Law No. 29), passed in 2006 to protect the rights of people with disabilities and special needs, and the subsequent law issued by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2014, reaffirming Dubai’s commitment to providing the tools and opportunities for people with disabilities to play a lead role in the development of the Emirate’s human capital.

Architecture of Disability

When considering a shift to a more inclusive society, one of the more apparent factors to observe is architecture – a characteristic of cities that has the potential to either break down, or reinforce, the physical and institutional barriers that result in exclusive and selective environments. Dubai has embarked on various architectural efforts that accentuate the Emirate’s commitment to realizing a vision of inclusion, respect and consideration of people with disabilities; some of these efforts stand out as exemplary case studies, and as symbols of progress towards the realization of a disability-friendly city.

−−− 1. View of minaret from sahn (courtyard) at Al Warqa’a Mosque 2. Disabled friendly ablution area at Al Warqa’a Mosque

Al Warqa’a Mosque by Ibda Design Ibda Design is an international practice that specializes in Architecture, Urban and Interior Design. With an emphasis on creating a neighborhood mosque, Ibda revisited the basics of mosque design. Rather than being seen as an icon, this Arab hypostyle mosque was designed as a community space, one that is welcoming, inviting and open to the public; this is evident in the absence of boundary walls, and a Riwaq (arcade) that can be accessed from multiple sides. In line with Al Warqa’a Mosque’s design ideologies and emphasis on serving the community, the facility also includes various accessibility features ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, can enjoy the space. In addition to the designated parking space, the mosque includes three accessibility ramps connecting various levels in and around the facility, and an obstructionfree ablution area for wheelchair users. Through its gracious and fluid design, Al Warqa’a Mosque exemplifies the true meaning of a community space, and sets a precedent for how people with disabilities can be accounted for in contemporary designs that are both aesthetically ambitious and functional.

“Designing for disability is a chance for creativity, expression and innovation.”

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Emirates NBD Recognizing the importance of Dubai’s ‘My Community…A City For Everyone’ campaign and the intrinsic value that lies in having an inclusive environment for a community to thrive in, Emirates NBD has embarked on a Disability-First Branch (DFB) initiative that looks to prioritize customers by eventually making all its branches disability-friendly.

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−−− 1. Accessibility ramps leading to Jumeirah Branch 2. Designated parking at Jumeirah Branch 3. Integrated Teller Machine at Emirates Towers Branch

Emirates NBD Emirates Towers Branch is the bank’s first digitized branch, and was the second to be made disability-friendly through the DFB initiative. The branch is easily accessed, particularly with the absence of doors, and includes low-height ATMs and teller areas, widened cubicle entrances (to allow for wheelchair accessibility) and Integrated Teller Machines that facilitate the experience for visually impaired individuals. Additionally, plans are in place to incorporate tactile floor indicators and a brail signage system in the branch. Emirates NBD has immediate plans to make the Hamriyah, Rashidiya, Al Awir, Oud Metha, Nad Sheba, Green Community and Mizhar Mall branches disability-friendly in the near future. Additionally, all staff members working in specialized branches are intensively trained on disability etiquette and the implementation of Sanad Card benefits. Sanad is a program afforded to people with disabilities, regardless of nationality, promoting various discounts and privileges to its holders.

Architecture of Disability

Being one of its flagship branches, Emirates NBD Jumeirah Branch was the first to undergo renovations as part of the DFB project. Some of the branch’s main disability-friendly features include dedicated parking spaces with clear signage, accessibility ramps, low-height ATMs and ATM desks, tactile floor indicators, priority queuing services,and a clearly marked sliding door, in place of what used to be a traditional pull door.

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Dubai Metro 2 4 3

−−− 1. Entrance to metro station with sliding doors and gentle ramp 2. Tactile floor indicators 3. Designated spacious turnstile 4. Access lift

Architecture of Disability

Dubai Metro, a public transportation system owned and operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has taken fundamental steps towards turning Dubai into a disability-friendly city. The transit system is fitted with various features – sliding doors, gentle ramps, tactile floor indicators, lifts, low-height service counters, designated spacious turnstiles and seamless access onto trains, all contributing to the realization of Dubai’s vision. What makes RTA’s efforts so outstanding is the scale at which the project has been implemented; the Dubai Metro reaches vast numbers of people and substantially facilitates travel for people with disabilities, encouraging them to actively participate in Dubai’s community and meet their full potential.

“People with disabilities can be accounted for in contemporary designs that are both aesthetically ambitious and functional.”

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Building the Future â&#x20AC;&#x153;The real disability is the disability of determination and will.â&#x20AC;? H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Together, we are limitless. Together, we can build a future of awareness, tolerance, and respect. Be it at a micro level, or on a larger scale, the goal resides in breaking the barriers that prevent people from fully participating in society, regardless of their disabilities. The key to achieving this is the creation of an accessible environment, improved healthcare, and the development of equal rights and opportunities when it comes to education and employment. This goes hand in hand with the understanding that, people with disabilities can contribute, too, and that, whenever given the chance they do so exceeding expectations.

Building the Future

The key to building the future are the people and their determination. We celebrate Emiratis who have overcome physical and mental challenges and whose determination has lead to success stories in their community and respective fields. Here they tell us about their professional achievements, their family life, and their plans and dreams for the future.

Publishing Director Ahmed Bin Shabib

Writer Marina Iordan

Illustrator Nadine Ghandour

Editor-in-Chief Rashid Bin Shabib

Writer Abdallah Najia

Photographer Mohammad BinSaif