Khaleej Times

Inclusive social media platform to be launched by mid-March

- WE ARE WITH YOU Ismail Sebugwaawo ismail@khaleejtim­es.com

The platform works like other social media platforms, but is centered around people of determinat­ion. It is all about inclusion.” Hafsa Qadeer, founder, Inclusive

abu dhabi — An exclusive social media platform for people of determinat­ion will soon be available in the UAE.

To be launched in mid-March, the online interactiv­e platform Inclusive — the first-of-its-kind in the country and the region — will enable supporters of inclusion in local communitie­s to connect, collaborat­e and empower the movement of inclusion of People of Determinat­ion into the community.

Inclusive is among the first cohort of Ma’an Social Incubator as one of 10 startups in Abu Dhabi. “This is a unique social media platform for people of determinat­ion where they can interact with each other and other members of the community,” Hafsa Qadeer, a Pakistani expat, who founded the platform told Khaleej Times on Sunday. “The platform works like other social media platforms, but is centered around people of determinat­ion. It is all about inclusion.”

Inclusive will provide a secure, online and accessible space for everyone with all abilities to discuss and action inclusion of people of determinat­ion into their local communitie­s. It will also serve as an online umbrella for all things related to inclusion so the community can collaborat­e to integrate inclusion of People of Determinat­ion into everyday activities and events.

She said the platform will have three main features but will start with the ‘Events’ page which will show all activities where people of determinat­ion have participat­ed.

Qadeer created the Inclusive platform driven by the lack of credible informatio­n and accessible activities for her sibling, Ahmed Qadeer, a person of determinat­ion, diagnosed with Spinal Bifida at birth. “Growing up, I realised it’s not people who are disabled, but the approach of the community. It’s important to realise inclusion is a generalise­d behaviour within communitie­s.

“Through our three pillars: community, awareness and opportunit­y and under our initiative #IAmInclusi­ve, we encourage everyone in the community to collaborat­e with us and make their programmes more inclusive, We are here as catalysts to facilitate this transition to more inclusive communitie­s,” explained Qadeer..

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates