Dubai Municipality drive to tell stories through sign language

dubai — Dubai Municipality (DM) has launched the ‘Dubai Municipality Reads for Disabled People’ initiative, which will film stories with translation in sign language by DM employees.

A number of volunteers have also joined in making these stories available to all children through the DM website, its Knowledge Portal, Children’s City, public libraries, and websites of the organisations that work for those with hearing disabilities.

Maryam Ahmed Bin Fahd, Director of DM’s Knowledge and Innovation Department, said that filming of two stories has been completed and they have been converted into sign language with the help of a specialised team. The films will be uploaded on YouTube and other

According to the UAE Deaf Association, there are more than 3,000 deaf people in the UAE.” Maryam Bin Fahd

social media sites shortly. “We have embarked on this initiative in the light of the statistics issued by the Ministry of Health in January based on the latest survey, which indicated that the rate of hearing loss in the UAE is up to 4 per cent. According to the UAE Deaf Association, there are more than 3,000 deaf people in the country,” said Bin Fahd.

“Hence, the initiative will contribute to spreading the culture of information and knowledge on this important segment of the society. The initiative is also linked to the Year of Giving, by providing an opportunity for volunteers fluent in sign language to serve the disabled,” she added.

The initiative also aims to create a social and participatory approach from all community members who know sign language: Municipality employees, other government department employees or staff members of organisations for the deaf. Bin Fahd also said that excerpts from the books of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai will be translated into sign language.