American Education in the United Arab Emirates ABILITIESme ... Post Show Report. | Page 4

ABILITIESme Conference The ABILITIESme Conference was inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development. The conference was held over two days and covered factors that contribute to the social, economic, educational and career development and empowerment of people with disabilities. The conference welcomed over 400 attendees over the 2 days and featured VIP government, international, regional and local speakers discussing government initiatives, policies, social inclusion and the latest information on trends in accessibility, adaptation, rehabilitation and assistive technology for people with disability and the elderly. Keynote speakers included: Conference Overview: • • Over 16 sessions attended • Delegates attending from government, healthcare, education and the private sector • • • • Over 400+ people attended the sessions • • More than 12 hours of free and unrivalled learning was delivered • • • • • H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Honorary President of the Future Centre for Special Needs – Abu Dhabi - UAE H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Education Council – UAE H.E. Marwan Ahmad Al Sawaleh, Undersecretary - Ministry of Education - UAE H.E. Mariam Saif Al Qubaisi, Head of Special Needs Sector, Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs (ZHO) UAE Shaikha Dr. Alya Al Qassimi, Director of the Social Programs and Inclusion Department, Community Development Authority - UAE John McConkey, Marketing Insights Manager, Landscape Structures - USA David Bartram, Director of Inclusion, Lampton School, London - UK Dr. Lucy Miller, Executive Director, SPD Foundation – USA Dr. Matti Kuorelahti, Director-Department of Education – University of Jyvaskyla - Finland Zainab Al-Eqabi (Motivational Speaker) – Iraq Conference attendees included senior executives from: • • • • • • • • • • • Abu Dhabi International School ADEC ADMA - OPCO ADNOC Al Muna Primary School - Aldar Academies Al Noor School Al Wagan Hospital/Al Tawam Hospital Aldar Academics Alliance Academy Jordan Cambridge Medical & Rehabilitation Center Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi [phone] • Community Development Authority • Emirates Academy • Emirates Transport • Etihad Airways • GEMS • HAAD • Health Authority • KHIDI • Mafraq Hospital • Ministry Of Social A airs • MOE • Police • Rashid Centre for Disabled Post Show Report 2015 [email protected] • SEHA • Sharjah City For Humanitarian Services • Sheikh Khalifa Medical City • Sheikh Khalifa Medical City • Sheikh Khalifa Medical City • Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City • The Wellington Hospital • UAE Deaf Association • Zayed Higher Organization For Humanitarian Care & Special Needs ZHO www.abilitiesme.com