Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Dubai Airports, the operator of the world’s largest airport for international travel, and Dubai Autism Centre (DAC) collaborated to commemorate World Autism Day through a unique sunflower planting ceremony.
Taking place in DAC’s gardens, the event aimed to increase awareness about autism while showcasing Dubai Airports’ continuous endeavors, alongside its strategic collaborators, to ensure a seamless and inclusive travel experience for all visitors passing through Dubai International (DXB). This initiative further emphasizes their commitment to supporting Dubai’s transformation into an autism-friendly destination.
Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports, said: “We’re committed to creating an inclusive journey for every single guest, because we recognise that we all experience the world differently. Through dedicated routes, the ongoing development of new products and services, and our collaboration with Dubai Autism Centre, we’re actively working to shape a more accessible and welcoming airport experience for all”.
Al Joker added: “This initiative aligns with Dubai Airports’ dedication to supporting UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021, which aim to establish the Emirate as the world’s leading disability-friendly city”.
DXB has introduced several programs to assist individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities, collectively referred to as People of Determination. These programs comprise a pre-travel planner and a specialized accessible pathway within the airport. This designated pathway streamlines the travel process for individuals wearing the globally recognized sunflower lanyard, ensuring seamless navigation through check-in, passport control, security screening, and boarding.
Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General of the Dubai Autism Centre, said: “We would like to thank Dubai Airports for joining our kids in a special sunflower planting event to mark World Autism Day. Planting sunflowers goes beyond raising awareness for autism; it’s a powerful symbol of our collective effort to build an inclusive community that embraces and empowers individuals with autism.”
During the event, participants such as Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS), Emirates, flydubai, Saudia, dnata, and Dubai Duty Free joined together to plant sunflowers. This act symbolized their collective dedication to fostering a more inclusive environment for individuals with autism and their families.
In November 2022, DXB received certification as an Autism-friendly airport and became the first international airport to be designated as a Certified Autism Centre (CAC) by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
Monday, April 29, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
