Latest news with #DubaiWay
Emirates 24/7
29-04-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai becomes first Certified Autism Destination™ in Eastern Hemisphere
Dubai has officially gained recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere – a designation which underscores a citywide effort to make the tourism proposition more accessible and inclusive for all residents and visitors. This achievement aligns with key priorities of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, by championing talent development, social inclusion, and quality of life, as well as the UAE Year of Community, which includes the goal of creating inclusive spaces that encourage collaboration, a sense of belonging, and shared experiences. Awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), renowned for its expertise in autism and sensory training, the journey to achieve Certified Autism Destination™ status was spearheaded by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). This milestone was made possible through the collective efforts of key stakeholders and partners, who worked together to enhance accessibility across all aspects of the visitor experience - from the aviation ecosystem, to hotels, attractions, and transportation. Key initiatives included comprehensive staff training programmes, expanded visitor support at attractions, and the introduction of sensory guides and hidden disability lanyards to ensure a seamless and inclusive experience for all. Additionally, each certified location underwent an onsite review and received custom sensory guides developed by IBCCES as part of the process. As part of the certification programme, DET collaborated with IBCCES to facilitate comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for the city's tourist-facing workforce. At the heart of this achievement is the 'Dubai Way' online training platform developed by Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of DET, to empower staff with the skills and knowledge to provide a more inclusive experience for People of Determination (those with special needs or disabilities). DCT has also continued to offer its Inclusive Service programme – a self-paced course that can be followed on the online Dubai Way platform. It teaches applicants how best to cater and communicate with People of Determination, with the training modules featuring real-life stories, interactive sessions, and videos, fostering empathy and understanding while embedding diversity into everyday interactions with visitors. In just over two years, the city has marked significant progress in inclusivity, with over 70,000 individuals receiving autism and sensory awareness training. This commitment extends to the hospitality sector, where more than 300 hotels are actively engaged in a training and certification process, aiming to provide comfortable and inclusive experiences for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities. Additionally, more than 15 attractions, along with several beaches and parks, have earned IBCCES certifications, reinforcing the city's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, 'Dubai's designation as a Certified Autism Destination is a landmark moment in our accessibility journey, demonstrating a collective commitment to not only consistently developing infrastructure, but also enhancing skills and services across the city. Under the guidance of our visionary leadership, we are dedicated to further elevating the experience in Dubai for all residents and visitors, with accessibility as a core priority, and this recognition has been made possible thanks to the steadfast efforts and support of all our partners, including IBCCES, the aviation ecosystem, hotels, and attractions. This also marks another important step towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, to further consolidate Dubai's position as a leading global destination for business and leisure, and aligns with the priorities of the UAE Year of Community. As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, we remain focused on making Dubai the best city to visit, live, and work in - for everyone.' Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman and CEO, said, 'Dubai is raising the bar for accessible tourism, and IBCCES is honoured to support this initiative. This achievement represents a significant step in ensuring that all visitors, including autistic people and individuals with sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease.' Dubai International (DXB), which in December 2023 was recognised as the first international airport to earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation, has successfully completed the expansion of its hidden disability and autism-inclusive training programme. This initiative equipped 45,000 employees – across the wider airport community, including partners and stakeholders – with the skills to better support hidden disabilities including autistic and sensory-sensitive travellers navigating both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, 'At Dubai Airports, we are proud to support Dubai's journey towards becoming a Certified Autism Destination. As the first and last impression of the city for millions of travellers, we embrace our responsibility to create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every guest, regardless of their needs, enjoys a seamless and supportive travel experience at DXB. Through our oneDXB community, we continue to work closely with our stakeholders across the airports to enhance accessibility, provide specialised training for frontline teams, and design environments that are supportive of people of determination, including those with hidden disabilities such as autism. As the world's busiest international airport, we recognise the importance of leading by example, and this milestone reinforces our dedication to making travel more compassionate and human-centric for all.' For several years, Emirates has been on a journey to officially become the world's first Autism Certified Airline™, receiving certifications for its check in areas and training more than 30,000 on-ground staff and cabin crew to support autistic customers in a myriad of ways. Adel Al Redha, Deputy President, and Chief Operations Officer, Emirates, said, 'Emirates has been driving progress in accessible travel for several years, in a mission to make the travel experience more inclusive. In April 2024, Emirates received Certified Autism Center™ Designations for our Dubai Check In facilities, including at our dedicated hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. A year later, we are the world's first autism certified airline – with more than 30,000 cabin crew and airport staff trained to support customers with autism. These significant achievements help build a strong foundation for Dubai to be celebrated as the first certified autism destination in the eastern hemisphere - giving travellers confidence that their journey to and from our iconic city will be supported. We continue to work hand in hand with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to create lasting change, break barriers, and be recognised as a world leading accessible destination. We have a social and professional responsibility to facilitate the travel journey for our autistic passengers.' Support from attractions and landmarks throughout the city has also been paramount to achieving the Certified Autism Destination™ status. A key example is Expo City Dubai, which was designated as a Certified Autism Center™ in December 2024 following an extensive training process for its visitor-facing team on how best to support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer, Expo City Dubai, said, 'By becoming a Certified Autism Destination™, Dubai demonstrates the potential to succeed – and thrive – in travel and tourism when accessibility and inclusion are prioritised, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience all Dubai has to offer. Expo City Dubai is proud to have contributed to this city-wide effort. Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ in 2024 was a milestone in our people-centric strategy to create an inclusive culture and environment for all who visit, live and work in Expo City, and we look forward to further collaborations and success stories as we progress on this journey.' Dubai Holding Entertainment, which offers a range of leisure and entertainment options across Dubai, has a number of attractions that have obtained the Certified Autism Center™ status, including Motiongate Dubai and The Green Planet. The group has outlined a range of plans for more of its destinations to achieve the certification. Alanood Al Hashemi, Vice President of Organisational Culture and Impact at Dubai Holding Entertainment, said, 'We are proud of Dubai Holding Entertainment's contribution to Dubai's recognition as a Certified Autism Destination. We are committed to making ongoing efforts to ensure our parks are accessible and enjoyed by as many people as possible, whether they are residents of Dubai or tourists. We look forward to welcoming families from around the world to experience our exceptional and inclusive entertainment spaces here in Dubai.' To further support inclusivity efforts, all certified locations in Dubai are being featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides travellers with real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. Further details on travel accessibility in Dubai are available at Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
The National
28-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Dubai named autism-friendly destination after efforts to boost inclusivity
Dubai has been recognised as an autism-friendly city in what is being hailed as a "landmark moment" in its drive to champion inclusivity. The emirate was named the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere – which includes much of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia – after a more than two-year journey to better support people with the condition. The accreditation – announced during Autism Awareness Month, which ends on Wednesday – aims to ensure accessibility for residents and visitors with autism, who often face sensory overload. The emirate announced its aim to achieve the status in December 2022 and the process has involved training for staff members at the airport, dozens of places throughout the city and hundreds of hotels. The Californian city of Visalia was the first to receive the certification, with other recipients including Greater Palm Springs and Traverse City in Michigan. Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has led efforts to achieve the designation, which is awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which operates in more than 100 countries. Issam Kazim, chief executive of Dubai Department for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, described the designation as 'a landmark moment in our accessibility journey'. 'We are dedicated to further elevating the experience in Dubai for all residents and visitors, with accessibility as a core priority,' he said. He described accreditation as 'another important step' towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 'to further consolidate Dubai's position as a leading global destination for business and leisure'. 'As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, we remain focused on making Dubai the best city to visit, live and work in – for everyone,' he added. Comprehensive staff training, additional support for visitors at attractions, and the use of sensory guides and hidden disability lanyards were key to achieving the designation. Custom-sensory guides developed by IBCCES were provided to each certified location, and on-site reviews were carried out. As part of the auditing process, locations had their sound levels, lighting, sights and smells measured. DET worked with IBCCES to ensure staff members dealing with tourists were trained in how to serve visitors with autism. Central to the training employees in Dubai received is an online programme called Dubai Way, developed by Dubai College of Tourism (DCT). DCT's Inclusive Service programme on Dubai Way shows users how to cater for and communicate with people with special needs or disabilities through real-life stories, interactive sessions and videos. Since Dubai announced its plan to become a Certified Autism Destination, more than 70,000 people have received training, including staff at more than 300 hotels. More than a dozen attractions, plus beaches and parks have received IBCCES certification and these sites are featured on a free accessibility app from IBCCES. 'Dubai is raising the bar for accessible tourism, and IBCCES is honoured to support this initiative,' said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES chairman and chief executive. 'This achievement represents a significant step in ensuring that all visitors, including autistic people and individuals with sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease.' Autism advocacy organisations say new noises and sights, changes to routine, crowds and unpredictability can make travel difficult for people with autism. According to the World Health Organisation, about 1 per cent of children have the condition, which typically involves difficulties in social interaction and communication. Dubai International Airport, which became the first international airport to be designated a Certified Autism Centre in December 2023, has expanded its hidden disability and autism-inclusive training programme, Wam reported. This involved training 45,000 employees at the airport, as well as at partners and stakeholders, in how to better support people with hidden disabilities who use Dubai International Airport or Al Maktoum International Airport. Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, said the organisation was 'proud to support' Dubai's efforts to become a Certified Autism Destination. 'As the first and last impression of the city for millions of travellers, we embrace our responsibility to create a welcoming, accessible and inclusive environment for all,' he said. He said efforts were made to enhance accessibility, to provide training for staff who dealt with passengers, and to design environments that were 'supportive' of people with, for example, hidden disabilities such as autism. Emirates Airline recently became the world's first Autism Certified Airline after training more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff on how to support customers with autism. A year ago, the airline's Dubai check-in areas received autism-friendly certification. Adel Al Redha, Emirates' deputy president and chief operations officer, said the company had been 'driving progress in accessible travel for several years'. He said the airline had 'a social and professional responsibility' to facilitate travel for passengers with autism. As well as airports, airlines and hotels, attractions and landmarks have played a key role in Dubai being named a Certified Autism Destination. Among them is Expo City Dubai, which in December was designated as a Certified Autism Centre following training for staff who deal with visitors. Also closely involved with efforts is Dubai Holding Entertainment, several of whose attractions are Certified Autism Centres, including The Green Planet and Motiongate Dubai, with more set to achieve certification.
Al Etihad
28-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Dubai becomes first Certified Autism Destination™ in Eastern Hemisphere
DUBAI (WAM) Dubai has officially gained recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere – a designation which underscores a citywide effort to make the tourism proposition more accessible and inclusive for all residents and visitors. This achievement aligns with key priorities of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by championing talent development, social inclusion, and quality of life, as well as the UAE Year of Community, which includes the goal of creating inclusive spaces that encourage collaboration, a sense of belonging, and shared experiences. Awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) - renowned for its expertise in autism and sensory training - the journey to achieve Certified Autism Destination™ status was spearheaded by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The milestone was made possible through the collective efforts of key stakeholders and partners, who worked together to enhance accessibility across all aspects of the visitor experience - from the aviation ecosystem, to hotels, attractions, and transportation. Key initiatives included comprehensive staff training programmes, expanded visitor support at attractions, and the introduction of sensory guides and hidden disability lanyards to ensure a seamless and inclusive experience for all. Additionally, each certified location underwent an onsite review, and received custom sensory guides developed by IBCCES as part of the process. As part of the certification programme, DET collaborated with IBCCES to facilitate comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for the city's tourist-facing workforce. At the heart of this achievement is the 'Dubai Way' online training platform developed by Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of DET, to empower staff with the skills and knowledge to provide a more inclusive experience for People of Determination (those with special needs or disabilities). DCT has also continued to offer its Inclusive Service programme – a self-paced course that can be followed on the online Dubai Way platform. It teaches applicants how best to cater and communicate with People of Determination, with the training modules featuring real-life stories, interactive sessions, and videos, fostering empathy and understanding while embedding diversity into everyday interactions with visitors. In just over two years, the city has marked significant progress in inclusivity, with over 70,000 individuals receiving autism and sensory awareness training. This commitment extends to the hospitality sector, where more than 300 hotels are actively engaged in a training and certification process, aiming to provide comfortable and inclusive experiences for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities. Additionally, more than 15 attractions, along with several beaches and parks, have earned IBCCES certifications, reinforcing the city's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, 'Dubai's designation as a Certified Autism Destination is a landmark moment in our accessibility journey, demonstrating a collective commitment to not only consistently developing infrastructure, but also enhancing skills and services across the city. Under the guidance of our visionary leadership, we are dedicated to further elevating the experience in Dubai for all residents and visitors, with accessibility as a core priority, and this recognition has been made possible thanks to the steadfast efforts and support of all our partners, including IBCCES, the aviation ecosystem, hotels, and attractions." "This also marks another important step towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to further consolidate Dubai's position as a leading global destination for business and leisure, and aligns with the priorities of the UAE Year of Community. As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, we remain focused on making Dubai the best city to visit, live, and work in - for everyone," he added. Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman and CEO, said, 'Dubai is raising the bar for accessible tourism, and IBCCES is honoured to support this initiative. This achievement represents a significant step in ensuring that all visitors, including autistic people and individuals with sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease.' Dubai International (DXB), which in December 2023 was recognised as the first international airport to earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation, has successfully completed the expansion of its hidden disability and autism-inclusive training programme. This initiative equipped 45,000 employees – across the wider airport community, including partners and stakeholders – with the skills to better support hidden disabilities including autistic and sensory-sensitive travellers navigating both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, 'At Dubai Airports, we are proud to support Dubai's journey towards becoming a Certified Autism Destination. As the first and last impression of the city for millions of travellers, we embrace our responsibility to create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every guest, regardless of their needs, enjoys a seamless and supportive travel experience at DXB." "Through our oneDXB community, we continue to work closely with our stakeholders across the airports to enhance accessibility, provide specialised training for frontline teams, and design environments that are supportive of people of determination, including those with hidden disabilities such as autism. As the world's busiest international airport, we recognise the importance of leading by example, and this milestone reinforces our dedication to making travel more compassionate and human-centric for all," he added. For several years, Emirates has been on a journey to officially become the world's first Autism Certified Airline™, receiving certifications for its check-in areas and training more than 30,000 on-ground staff and cabin crew to support autistic customers in a myriad of ways. Adel Al Redha, Deputy President, and Chief Operations Officer, Emirates, said, 'Emirates has been driving progress in accessible travel for several years, in a mission to make the travel experience more inclusive. In April 2024, Emirates received Certified Autism Center™ Designations for our Dubai Check-In facilities, including at our dedicated hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. A year later, we are the world's first autism certified airline – with more than 30,000 cabin crew and airport staff trained to support customers with autism." "These significant achievements help build a strong foundation for Dubai to be celebrated as the first certified autism destination in the eastern hemisphere - giving travellers confidence that their journey to and from our iconic city will be supported. We continue to work hand in hand with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to create lasting change, break barriers, and be recognised as a world leading accessible destination. We have a social and professional responsibility to facilitate the travel journey for our autistic passengers," Al Redha added. Support from attractions and landmarks throughout the city has also been paramount to achieving the Certified Autism Destination™ status. A key example is Expo City Dubai, which was designated as a Certified Autism Center™ in December 2024 following an extensive training process for its visitor-facing team on how best to support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer, Expo City Dubai, said, 'By becoming a Certified Autism Destination™, Dubai demonstrates the potential to succeed – and thrive – in travel and tourism when accessibility and inclusion are prioritised, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience all Dubai has to offer. Expo City Dubai is proud to have contributed to this city-wide effort." "Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ in 2024 was a milestone in our people-centric strategy to create an inclusive culture and environment for all who visit, live and work in Expo City, and we look forward to further collaborations and success stories as we progress on this journey," Faraidooni explained. Dubai Holding Entertainment, which offers a range of leisure and entertainment options across Dubai, has a number of attractions that have obtained the Certified Autism Center™ status, including Motiongate Dubai and The Green Planet. The group has outlined a range of plans for more of its destinations to achieve the certification. Alanood Al Hashemi, Vice President of Organisational Culture and Impact at Dubai Holding Entertainment, said, 'We are proud of Dubai Holding Entertainment's contribution to Dubai's recognition as a Certified Autism Destination. We are committed to making ongoing efforts to ensure our parks are accessible and enjoyed by as many people as possible, whether they are residents of Dubai or tourists. We look forward to welcoming families from around the world to experience our exceptional and inclusive entertainment spaces here in Dubai.' To further support inclusivity efforts, all certified locations in Dubai are being featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides travellers with real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations.
