ADNOC hosts ABILITIESme roadshow

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) sponsored ABILITIESme "ENABLINGme Road Show". The event was hosted by ADNOC subsidiary the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (AMA-OPCO) on Tuesday. Organised under the theme 'I.D.E.A.: Inform, Discuss, Educate and Assemble', the event is part of ABILITIESme, a strategic and grassroots CSR initiative aimed at supporting people with disabilities and special needs communities by engaging government and civil society. The opening of the event was addressed by ADMA-OPCO Chief Executive Officer, Ali Rashid Al Jarwan, who spoke about the need to address issues related to special needs communities and the importance of integrating these categories into the mainstream of the society. Organised under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and Honorary President of Abu Dhabi Future Centre for Special Needs, ABILITIESme is the first congress focused on disability policy development, disability management, general awareness and rehabilitation products showcase in the MENA region to be held in Abu Dhabi from 24th-26th March 2014. Attended by senior public and private sectors executives and representatives of concerned institutions in the country, social activists, artists, media representatives, ABILITIESme "ENABLINGme Road Show" was held at ADMA-OPCO's Headquarters from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The programme featured a host of activities including presentations, awareness sessions and panel discussions. A charity bazaar showcasing handicrafts, souvenirs and artworks by students from special needs centres in the country was organized. The event was attended by Mohamed Al Ghanim, Director-General Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA); esteemed academic Dr Sulaiman Al Jassim who also moderated discussion panels; and Sultan Al Amimi, founder of Abu Dhabi's new Nabati Poetry Academy. Panel speakers included Maryam Al Qubaisi, President of Special Needs Section, Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs; Dr Bushra Al Mulla, Director of Social Care, Dubai Community Development Authority; Bedour Al Raqbani, Director, Kalimati Speech and Communication Centre; Dr Asma Al Mannaie, Director of Public Health, Health Authority, Abu Dhabi; Dr Muwafaq Mustafa, Director, Future Centre for Special Needs; Mike Allsopp, Senior Vice President, DMG Events; and Huda Al Ali, Abu Dhabi Special Needs Ambassador. The discussions focused on educating the audience on the types of disabilities including physical, communication, development and sensory disabilities, challenges faced by disabled persons, general etiquette when addressing a person with disabilities and tips on using sign languages. ABILITIESme initiative was launched on August 23rd, 2012 by its organiser, DMG Events, its host, ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center), its strategic partner HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi) and its host of key partners and supporters. ADNOC is the Platinum CSR Partner of the 1st edition of ABILITIESme.