Zayed Higher Organization Launches "Naqra" Lab in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

In a pioneering move towards empowering people of determination and enhancing their role in society, Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination has announced the launch of two "Naqra" learning labs in collaboration with Key2Enable, a company specializing in assistive technology. These labs, located at the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Centers for Care and Rehabilitation, aim to train people of determination, particularly those with cerebral palsy, enabling them to complete government transactions digitally. The project also provides an advanced educational environment that supports their academic and technical skills in line with the demands of the digital age.

The inauguration of the lab at the Abu Dhabi Center for Care and Rehabilitation was attended by His Excellency Major General Suhail Jumaa bin Khatim Al-Khaili, Director General of Citizenship, along with His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, and His Excellency Nafi Al Hamadi, Executive Director of the Support Services Sector at the Organization, in addition to a group of department directors and heads of sections. Meanwhile, the inauguration of the "Naqra" Lab at the Al Ain Center for Care and Rehabilitation was attended by His Excellency Abdullah Al Kamali, Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at the Zayed Higher Organization.

The "Naqra" lab is the first of its kind to support people of determination in completing important government transactions, such as passport renewal, issuance of ID cards, residency permits, and health insurance. The organization has allocated 40% of its employees' transactions to be processed through the lab, with an ambitious plan to increase this percentage to 90% by 2027, representing an advanced model for the employment integration of people of determination.

The lab is equipped with the latest Key2Enable technologies, including assistive computers, advanced educational software, and the innovative Kay-X keyboard, specifically designed to enable individuals with motor challenges to interact with digital systems easily and efficiently.

A Center for Government Transactions Completion

As part of its plans, Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination intends to expand the scope of the project and transform the "Naqra" labs in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain into a center for completing transactions for employees of government departments and institutions in the emirate. This initiative aligns with the "Year of Community 2025," which carries the slogan "Hand in Hand" and aims to promote the values of cooperation, belonging, and social inclusion for people of determination.



Training and Rehabilitation

The institution's Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Department is responsible for preparing and empowering people of determination to perform tasks with high efficiency through intensive training programs using the latest assistive technologies. The Services and Procurement Department is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the project and evaluating the quality of services provided.

In this regard, His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, emphasized that this initiative is not just about creating job opportunities but is a significant step toward achieving financial independence for people of determination and enhancing their role in society. He mentioned that the organization is working to redefine the role of people of determination in the workforce by utilizing technology to serve them and enhance their digital skills.

He added that, as part of the collaboration between Zayed Higher Organization and Key2Enable, assistive technology devices will be supplied, assembled, and manufactured within the country. The organization has obtained the exclusive rights to assemble Key2Enable assistive technology units and the innovative Kay-X keyboard in the Middle East, with the bee logo printed on products manufactured in the UAE.

His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan called on all entities and institutions in the public and private sectors to support this initiative and open more opportunities for people of determination, believing in their effective role in the economic and social development of the UAE. He emphasized that the organization will continue its efforts to empower people of determination to achieve full independence through education, training, and employment, contributing to the UAE’s vision of being an inclusive and sustainable society for all.

For his part, Joseph Rubinger, CEO of Key2Enable, confirmed that this collaboration enhances the capabilities of people of determination to be productive and interact with modern technology, creating sustainable job opportunities that guarantee their complete independence. He also mentioned that the company is looking forward to expanding its presence in the GCC countries and the Middle East, starting from Abu Dhabi.

In an exclusive statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), His Excellency Abdullah Al-Kamali, Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at Zayed Higher Organization, emphasized that this is the Year of Community Empowerment for all individuals, including People of Determination. He highlighted that the laboratories in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are being launched to cater to various disability categories, especially severe motor disabilities such as cerebral palsy, where the goal is to transition from dependence to productivity within society. He expressed the organization’s pride in seeing that People of Determination are now able to complete transactions independently.

His Excellency Abdullah Al-Kamali provided WAM with a detailed explanation of the laboratory and its equipment, stating that it consists of large tablet devices. He noted that individuals with Parkinson’s disease, for example, can use this specialized keyboard, which was assembled in one of the construction laboratories at the Al Bahia Center for People of Determination Production. He reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that People of Determination actively contribute to society through productivity and giving, regardless of the severity of their disabilities.