Healthcare | Sunday 24 January, 2016 2:53 pm |

AccessAbilities Expo 2016 will feature and exclusive ‘Activity Area’, offering an array of sport and recreational programmes including table tennis, archery, basketball, boccia, yoga, dance, martial arts, art, and easy cooking, with a view to provide a wide range of options and educate parents and families on engaging their family member having disability in physical activities for optimal physical functioning and overall well-being.

 

According to experts, regular physical activity and recreation are critical in improving physical functioning and overall wellbeing among children and adults having disabilities.

 

“Parents often worry and many times restrict their children from engaging in physical or recreational activities fearing that it will tire or unduly stress them. However, differently-abled individuals have a greater need for recreational activities, as they are more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles. We have had success stories wherein introducing regular physical activity resulted in a marked difference in terms of better muscular coordination, overall well-being as well as improvement in social and inter-personal skills,” said Arti Khazanchi and Neena Raina, Founders, Tender Hearts Arena, which will be offering yoga, mixed martial arts, brain gym and dance for  children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Slow Development, Learning Disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia, Hyperactivity, PDD and other disabilities, during AccessAbilities Expo, from February 9-11, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

 

AccessAbilities has a strong support from the government including the  Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Municipality, Community Development Authority (CDA), General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, Department of Economic Development (DED), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Customs who are the strategic partners for the event. The Expo is being organised by Reed Expo and Nadd AlShiba PR & Event Management.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US, children with disabilities are 38 per cent more likely to be obese than their counterparts. Physical and recreational activities can have a significantly positive impact on their improvement and overall well-being.

 

Experts advise that even in the case of children whose abilities do not allow convenient participation in group sports, there are many options to stay active safely with the help of adaptive equipment and protective gear and these should be exercised.

 

Building an inclusive environment such as having accessible parks and swimming pools, playgrounds and recreation centers, health clubs, and sports groups offering accessible and inclusive fitness activities can greatly enhance participation of individuals with disabilities in physical activities.

 

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions, said: “AccessAbilities Expo will educate and make people aware by opening up a host of options, giving them experiences and hence, will create an environment where they will be introduced to ways and means of adopting practical changes that can help their family member with disability lead a more independent and fulfilling life. The activities during the expo are also aimed at fostering inclusion, thereby helping us all contribute to UAE’s vision of becoming the world’s friendliest place for the disabled.”

An array of fun-filled and educational activities is lined up during the three days of the Expo, involving children and adults with disabilities as well as their families and caretakers.

Rajesh Kumar, Head of Life Division at Alliance Insurance, which is organising an Art Competition at the Expo, said: “Through our participation we wants to raise an awareness among communities and families that having a disability does not limit creativity and imagination and that art is a voice to express feelings.”

Dubai Club for the Disabled has a dedicated area for table tennis, archery, basketball, boccia as well as track and field racing on wheelchair, where all visitors can participate.  The winners in the games will also be given attractive prizes.

 

Majid Al Usaimi, Executive Director, Dubai Club for the Disabled, said: “Our coaches and specially trained staff will supervise and manage all sports activities by giving opportunities to all visitors to try sports for the disabled. Our main goal is to integrate and make people learn and experience the sports for the disabled.”

 

The nutrition segment will have no-fire cooking sessions for the visitors to learn easy cooking. In addition, there will be art, painting and music sessions during the expo. The activity area will also have an Ayurveda practitioner to educate parents interested in alternative medicine alongwith preventive care segment where visitors can get their BMI, glucose and vital testing done.

“We will also educate the parents or caretakers accompanying the participants on how they can include these activities in their daily routine,” added Arti from Tender Hearts.

 

Salim Al Maamary, Chief Operating Officer, Al Tadawi Medical Centre, which will be providing medical services during AccessAbilities Expo, said: Our focus is on preventive medicine and health awareness, easy access to services; quality and investment in the community.  Participating in the AccessAbilities Expo allows us to communicate our values through our activities and engage with the community that we strive to serve with excellence. A platform such as the Expo will allow us to show that whether you are young or old, male or female, disabled or able and whatever your cultural background, if you are in good health we will help you keep it that way, and if you are worried about any symptoms we will address your concerns and refer you to the right specialist.”

 

Leading centres for individuals with disabilities including Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Autism Trust Foundation, Dubai Autism Centre and Mawaheb for Beautiful People are among the Event Partners in addition to local and international companies in technology, telecommunication, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, tourism, education, infrastructure and facilities management sectors who are exhibiting their products and services at the Expo.