Tamkeen explores latest supportive technologies for visually impaired at US conference

A Tamkeen team led by Ahmed Al Mulla, Head of Community Relations attended the California State University Northridge's (CSUN) international conference titled 'Technology and Persons with Disabilities'. This was the first time that an organisation from the Gulf region was participating in the conference.

The conference, held recently, attracted over 5000 participants from around the globe and more than 300 companies that specialise in the field of supportive technologies for the visually impaired.

'The visit was very useful as we exchanged ideas and experiences with professionals in this field and we familiarised ourselves with compatible voice recognition programmes,' said Ahmed Al Mulla. 'We hope that we will be able to bring these technologies to the visually impaired community in the UAE and implement them in our training centre. I feel proud to be part of the first Gulf-based organisation to participate in this conference,' he added.

The event, divided into three segments, exhibited the latest adaptive technologies for people with disabilities. It also featured workshops that provided practical sessions on how to employ supportive technologies in both a work and home environment.

In addition, CSUN hosted a conference where people with disabilities and specialists in the field of supportive technologies shared new knowledge on hardware, software, adaptive devices, access to technology, training programmes, research, and best-practices in assistive technology.

'Tamkeen's participation in this event came as part of its efforts to understand and use new technologies that enable the visually impaired to be more independent and productive,' said Hamish Mackenzie, Head of Development, Tamkeen. 'We have gained a lot of experiences through the workshops. I believe these experiences will reflect on our professional capabilities in terms of skills such as modifying web designs in the most appropriate manner to make them more user-friendly to the visually impaired.'