ZHO, UAE Deaf Association Promote Emirati Sign Language

The Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, ZHO, and the UAE Deaf Association signed a cooperation agreement to promote the Emirati sign language for people with hearing disabilities in the UAE community.

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 18th Sep, 2018) The Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, ZHO, and the UAE Deaf Association signed a cooperation agreement to promote the Emirati sign language for people with hearing disabilities in the UAE community. The agreement seeks to reinforce the use of Emirati sign language in all areas of work and life, as well as strengthen academic and community integration programmes for people of determination, according to the best international practices.

The agreement was signed by Abdullah Abdulali Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of the ZHO, and Musbeh Saeed Al Niyadi, Chairman of the UAE Deaf Association, in the presence of Abdullah Ismail Al Kamali, Director of the People of Determination Section of the Organisation, and Hamad Hazaa Al Darmaki, Member of the board of Directors of the Association.

Both sides agreed to promote the Emirati sign language and disseminate it to all areas of work and life, as well as around educational institutions and the media, as a unified reference for Emiratis with hearing disabilities.

The agreement, which is valid for a period of 36 months from the date of its signing and is renewable, stipulates the cooperation between the ZHO and association, to promote the Emirati sign language, integrate people with hearing disabilities into the community, train sign language translators, and provide a suitable educational environment.

Al Humaidan said that the project reflects the efforts of the organisation and relevant authorities to ensure the right of people with hearing disabilities to use sign language and protect their identity.

He also praised the key role of the association in promoting the Emirati sign language while adding that the ZHO and H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of the ZHO, appreciate the role of non-governmental organisations in supporting people with hearing disabilities.

Al Niyadi praised the cooperation between the organisation and the association in promoting Emirati sign language, through the launch of the Emirati Sign Language dictionary.