Disabilities Policy

Students of Determination Policy

ZU has a policy for students with disabilities with the purpose of ensuring all human rights, avoiding acts of discrimination that affect people with disabilities. ZU supports this community and rejects any type of discrimination.

Purpose

This policy outlines the guiding principles by which Zayed University supports Students of Determination by providing equal educational opportunities at the University.

Application

This policy applies to all Zayed University students, faculty, and staff.

Policy

Zayed University (“University”) is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to Students of Determination in accordance with Federal Law no. 29 of 2006 In Respect of the Rights of People with Disabilities.

• The University has established the Student Accessibility Services Department (“SAS”) with offices on the University campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to be the contact points for all matters regarding Students of Determination.

• Students are encouraged to disclose a disability when they are admitted to the University or at any time throughout their University life. Students of Determination must register with the Student Accessibility Services Department to be entitled to all the support services provided.

• SAS will work with all University departments to ensure that their services are accessible to Students of Determination.
  • SAS will collaborate with the Campus Physical Development and Services Department to ensure that all physical facilities on the University campuses are accessible to all University students.
  • SAS will collaborate with all academic units and encourage them to work closely with the department so that appropriate academic support can be provided to Students of Determination.
  • SAS will collaborate with all University departments to ensure all services and resources are accessible to Students of Determination.

• Students of Determination are expected to reach University academic standards and will be allowed to use alternative methods, inclusive of assistive technology, whenever necessary, to achieve equitable educational opportunities.
  • SAS will enhance the in-class educational experience of Students of Determination by providing the necessary reasonable accommodation when available.
  • SAS will provide course materials and exam accommodation to enable registered Students of Determination access to all courses provided by the University.

• SAS will provide the appropriate training for faculty and staff in line with the Universal Design for Learning to enhance the support for Students of Determination.

Student Accessibility Services

Supported categories include vision impairment, hearing impairment, mobility impairment/physical disability and learning difficulties.

• Intake interview and pre-screening to determine if the student is within the category of Students of Determination.

• Provide assessments to determine the right assistive technology devices, according to the students’ specific needs.

• Provide devices, through the “Loan System” to Students of Determination, according to their needs.

• Conduct assessments for students with Learning Difficulties to determine their individual educational needs.

• Create Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) to support the academic needs of students with Learning Difficulties.

• Discuss the recommended support services by the specialists, with the student’s family to enhance academic and social progress.

• Design specialized workshops/ trainings for Students of Determination on a variety of skills depending on the students’ needs.

• Conduct periodic meetings for each Student of Determination, to monitor their academic progress.

• Accommodate curriculum and learning materials for students with visual impairment into accessible formats, such as, enlarged print, audio and Braille, to enhance access to education.

• Accommodate exams according to the students’ needs and requirements.

• Collaborate with faculty to enhance the academic performance of Students of Determination and provide the appropriate support.

• Ensure that the campus facilities and resources are accessible for all Students of Determination.

• Organize disability and accessibility related events to spread awareness and promote inclusion among Zayed University Community.

• Conduct faculty workshops and training to improve instructional support for Students of Determination and increase faculty’s awareness of challenges related to disabilities.

• Liaise with all university departments to ensure their services are accessible for Students of Determination.

• Coordinate with different organizations to provide job opportunities for Zayed University “Graduates of Determination.”

SAS Centers

Zayed University is committed to support Students of Determination achieve their academic goals and enable them to become active members of Zayed University and UAE society. To foster this development Student Accessibility Services Department (SAS) has three state-of-the-art centers which provide Students of Determination with specialized training to enhance their academic and social skills. Faculty and staff also benefit for the center by offering Professional Development to enable them to accommodate Students of Determination. The centers include:

• Humaid Mater Al Tayer Assistive Technology Resource Center

• Khalif Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center

• Abdul Wahid Al Rostamni Inclusive Learning Center

Humaid Mater Al Tayer Assistive Technology Resource Center and Khalif Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center are equipped with the latest assistive technology devices used to accommodate the needs of Students of Determination with Physical Disabilities. The centers are also utilized for training students on variety of devices and equipment, which have been recommended by the specialists, according to their needs. SAS also accommodates educational materials to cater for the needs of Students of Determination, especially those with visual impairment.

In order to enhance the learning experience of students, faculty members are provided with training, teaching aids, and accommodated course material to enhance the learning experience.

Examples of Assistive Tools

• Braille Sense Polaris

• Braille Sense U2

• Clear View Magnifier

• Braille Printer - Premier 80

Abdul Wahid Al Rostamni Inclusive Learning Center

This new state-of-the-art inclusive learning center, inspired by Apple technology, offers an innovative space for students, faculty and staff which facilitates teaching, learning and research at the highest standards. The Apple accessibility features and apps equip Students of Determination with the necessary skills to be independent learners and to have equal educational opportunities as their peers.

The center will also be used for outreach to other educational institutions and promote the use of technology and inclusion in schools and other higher educational institutions.

Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani Inclusive Learning Center

The late Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani started a small Dubai bookstore in 1954 and laid the foundations for what now is the AW Rostamani Group, which has grown and prospered over the years to become one of the region’s most progressive and innovative business houses.

Equipped with his business acumen and exceptional people skills, the late Abdul Wahid Al Rostmani was committed to adding a true value to the nationand stakeholders. And successfully grew his business into one of the region’s most progressive and innovative business houses, led by a powerful team of over 4,000 professionals, during his early career years, under the leadership of the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

In 2018, in commemoration of the Year of Zayed, Zayed university signed a a cooperation agreement to honor the name of the late Abdul Wahid ARostamani, an inspirational philanthropic donor who had great faith in Zayed University's ability to educate and serve Students of Determination by helping them to realize their fullest potential as students and later throughout their lives. Funding was received to construct and equip an Apple Inclusive Learning Teaching Center at Zayed University's campus in Dubai to pave the way for a brighter future for the ensuing generations of Emirati citizens.

“Alongside this growth and evolution, our priority will be to continue to enrich the people’s life experience in a measured way and not compete on size alone. We remain committed to the vision of firmly stamping the hallmark of quality on all our businesses and delivering added value to the nation and stakeholders reflecting the vision of our great country leadership vision and as we venture into new markets, we are confident about replicating the success we have enjoyed in the UAE, by leveraging the wealth of experience and knowledge of our people. A natural evolution for the group, the expansion will be considerable, further strengthening our position as a key player in the region.” Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani, Late Chairman, AW Rostamani Group.

Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center

H.E. Khalaf Al Habtoor, the founder of Al Habtoor Group of Companies, is the sole sponsor of the Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center at Zayed University, Dubai. H.E. is a highly esteemed entrepreneur who believes in the power of supporting others and has championed various humanitarian and a first-class education for all people in the UAE and beyond.

H.E. Al Habtoor is known not only for his many business achievements but also his extensive knowledge of international political affairs; his philanthropic activities; his efforts to promote peace; and the fact that he has long acted as an unofficial ambassador for the United Arab Emirates abroad. Writing extensively on both local and international politics, he publishes regular articles in the traditional media and social media platforms and has released a number of books.

The Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center at Zayed University, Dubai Campus is one of many inspirational initiatives that H.E. Khalaf Al Habtoor wholeheartedly supports in order to facilitate the personal and professional development of students. We are extremely grateful for his generous contributions and are strongly committed to delivering quality services that will benefit Students of Determination in their academic pursuits and future endeavors.

SAS is keen to follow the leadership of H.E. Khalaf Al Habtoor and to create an inclusive environment that will enhance the academic aspirations of Students of Determination to empower them to become valuable active valuable members of the UAE community.

Humaid Matar Al Tayer Assistive Technology Resource Center

A special tribute to His Excellency Humaid Matar Al Tayer who was a prominent national figure of great credibility and trustworthiness, a fervent national who witnessed the era of renaissance, inspired by the vision of the country's wise leadership and the  the Father of Dubai, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

The late Humaid Matar Al Tayer was a leader in the true sense of the word, who had penned with his contribution’s great accomplishments to the UAE society.

In his successful life journey, Humaid Al Tayer had always been committed to innovation, continuous quality-performance improvement and excellence in all the senior positions he had shouldered, namely, Director of the National Transport Authority, member of the Federal National Council and of Dubai Municipality, member of the Supportive Higher Education National Committee, Vice-President of Al Nasr Cultural and Sports Club.

Today, in recognition of their father’s pioneering achievements, and commitment to pursuing his heritage, the Al Tayer’s sons had generously initiated the establishment of “The Humaid Al Tayer’s Assistive Technology Resource Center” at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi campus, to provide Students of Determination with equal education opportunities, equipped with the latest Assistive Technology devices.

We at Zayed University committed to excellence in our pursuit to pave the way to our Students of Determination to achieve their goals and ambitions as key players in the growth of their Nation.

SAS is committed to follow the leadership of the late Humaid AlTayer and create an inclusive environment that will enhance the academic aspirations of Students of Determination which will empower them to become active members of Zayed University and the UAE community.

Accessibility and Inclusion: Campus Facilities for People of Determination

 

Campus Physical Development and Services (CPDS) department ensures that every space within ZU's campus, both indoors and outdoors, is people-of-determination-friendly.

With its campus, CPDS ensures the following:

Physical Accessibility:

• All pathways, entrances, and exits feature ramps for convenient access. These pathways are sufficiently wide to accommodate wheelchair users and are free of obstructions.

• Handrails and non-slip surfaces are installed as needed to enhance safety.

• Accessible parking spots are conveniently located near buildings for ease of access.

Accessible Facilities:

• Restrooms are equipped with wheelchair-accessible cubicles compliant with Municipality regulations.

• Visual and auditory aids, such as braille signs and voice-operated lifts, facilitate navigation and communication.

Emergency Preparedness:

• The CPDS-EHS team has developed comprehensive emergency evacuation plans that consider the needs of “people of determination”

• Emergency evacuation chairs are placed at strategic locations to enable ease of evacuation.

• Emergency training is provided regularly, and resources are updated consistently to ensure preparedness.

CPDS is continuously dedicated to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity at ZU campus. Our ongoing efforts are directed toward ensuring that every member of the community is valued, respected, and empowered to fully participate in ZU's academic pursuits.

Web Accessibility

Zayed University is fully committed to ensuring its website is accessible to and inclusive for all its users, including those with special needs and whether they use a text browser, screen reader or other assistive technology.

Maintaining an accessible website is an ongoing process and we are continually working to improve the site for all users.

Features To Enhance This Site’s Accessibility

• All text is resizable using either your browsers text-resize option (this is usually found under the View -> Text Size menu) or by using the text resizing icons on the pages.

• HTML heading elements have been used for page structure, supporting assistive technologies that allow page navigation from heading to heading

• Responsive web design, provide an optimal viewing experience—easy reading and navigation with a minimum of resizing, panning, and scrolling—across a wide range of devices (from desktop computer monitors to mobile phones).

• All images have appropriate text alternatives

• This site has been tested to ensure it is accessible in a wide range of browsers

Keyboard Access

It should be possible to access any part of the site (including forms) using just the keyboard. However, if you have any problems with this, do contact us and let us know. Please provide information about the web browser and operating system you are using as it will be of assistance in seeking to address the issue.

Additionally, most browsers support jumping to specific links by typing keys defined on the web site. These are known as “access keys”. They are activated in various ways depending on your browser and operating system. Here are the shortcuts for some common browsers:

• Internet Explorer 8 and above (Windows): ALT + key

• Mozilla Firefox 1.5 (Windows): ALT + key

• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 (Windows): ALT + SHIFT + key

• Safari (Apple Mac): CTRL + key

Visual Design

All parts of the site use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for visual layout and design. If your browser does not support style sheets all pages should still be readable.

Text is sized relatively, so it’s possible to adjust the text size to your needs. To adjust the text size in Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox go to the ‘View’ menu and select ‘Text Size’.

Zayed University to promote inclusivity of People of Determination

Zayed University (ZU) has recently launched "The UAE Inclusive Youth Network", which successfully educated and trained 41 students over the summer of 2022 to become peer educators and facilitators in topics related to People of Determination inclusivity, accessibility, and technology.

The Youth Network, was initiated by the Department of Student Accessibility Services at Zayed University and has recently organised a workshop within the activities framework of the Ministry of Culture and Youth Summer Camp. The aim was to connect the students and raise their awareness of other community members using interactive methods and youth-friendly activities.

Professor Clayton MacKenzie, Zayed University Provost & Chief Academic Officer, said, "We are delighted to see our students giving back to their community through such local initiatives that are governed by local Emirati philanthropists and sponsors. Our students will be qualified enough to raise awareness on the importance of inclusivity of People of Determination amongst their community."

The initiative aims to attract students aged between (15 to 30) from schools, universities, youth centres, and non-enrolled People of Determination from the same age group. It also aims at equipping youth with the tools and accessibility technology to respond to the rising demands of accessibility practitioners so that they are able to contribute to local and regional demands.

Zayed University students will continue to play an advocate for the field of inclusivity, and will organise similar initiatives and outreach activities with the hope of activating the UAE Inclusive Youth Network in other universities and schools with the support of national partners.

Zayed University Ushers in a New Era of Inclusivity with Virtual Reality Hub for Students of Determination

Leading the way in higher education, Zayed University is set to establish a state-of-the-art VR training hub designed to promote learning inclusivity for students of determination. In collaboration with Al Tayer Group, a leading conglomerate in the region, this initiative is poised to offer students of determination at Zayed University an unparalleled platform to explore and engage with interactive, three-dimensional educational content in a fully immersive environment.

The VR training hub, a regional first, is brought to fruition by the generous support of Al Tayer Group. As part of the Humaid Matar Al Tayer Assistive Technology Resource Center, the state-of-the-art facility will function under the Student Accessibility Services Department. Equipped with the latest VR technologies, the hub will provide an immersive experience that enables students of determination to participate in a wide range of learning modules, simulate real-world scenarios, and harness skills previously inaccessible in traditional settings.

Earlier this month, the VR hub was debuted at GITEX, the world’s largest technology conference, and garnered significant attention from international tech and education industry leaders. 

On October 31, a Memorandum of Understanding cementing this partnership was signed by Zayed University and Al Tayer Group.

HE Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Director and Board Member of Al Tayer Group, commented, “This project is in line with the Al Tayer Family’s values and vision to support students of determination with equal opportunities to learn, grow and be empowered individuals. We are delighted to contribute to the Humaid Matar Al Tayer Assistive Technology Resources Center to enable the next level of digitalization and technological excellence.”

Professor Michael Allen, acting Vice-President of Zayed University, remarked, “This VR training hub is not just another addition to our advanced educational facilities. It is a leap towards a more inclusive and dynamic learning environment. By embracing these innovative tools, we're ensuring that every student has an equal opportunity to learn and thrive.”

Zayed University's continuing commitment to enhancing student accessibility and partnership with industry leaders demonstrates its alignment with the UAE’s Centennial 2071 goals, which emphasize innovation in education and the development of an inclusive and cohesive society.