- Google announced the launch of the first-ever Google Accessibility Discovery Centre in the MENA region, located in Dubai.
- It is aimed at making technology and information accessible to all, empowering the 30 million people with disabilities in the region.
- It features sections like The Arcade, focusing on accessible video games, mainstream assistive tools, and Google’s own accessibility features in products like Chromebook and Pixel.
- The Centre encourages innovation and collaboration to break down barriers and ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can excel.
Google is excited to announce the opening of its first Accessibility Discovery Centre in the Middle East and North Africa, located in Dubai. This center is a testament to Google’s ongoing mission to make information accessible to all, regardless of ability, by showcasing how inclusive design can transform lives.
The Importance of Accessibility
At its core, accessibility is about more than just access to technology. It represents a commitment to empowerment and opportunity. Google believes that equitable access is a basic human right, essential for connecting people with opportunities that enhance their lives.
In MENA alone, there are an estimated 30 million people with disabilities, a number larger than the populations of Cairo and Riyadh combined. By addressing their needs, the center aims to bridge the gap between ability and access.
A Hub of Innovation and Inclusion
The Accessibility Discovery Centre is not just an exhibition space, but it is a hub of innovation where technology and human potential intersect. It serves as a space where individuals can come together to explore, learn, and celebrate the transformative impact of accessible design.
The center serves as a place for individuals to explore the ways in which assistive technology can break down barriers and provide real opportunities for people with disabilities. It emphasizes that disabilities often stem from a lack of appropriate tools and support, rather than physical limitations.
Visitors to the center can experience firsthand how technology, when designed with inclusivity in mind, can unlock human potential. The space aims to foster understanding, encourage learning, and celebrate the powerful impact that accessible design can have on people’s lives.
Features of the Centre
The Accessibility Discovery Centre is divided into three key areas, each designed to highlight the practical applications of accessible technology.
- The first area, The Arcade, focuses on accessible video games.
- Another section showcases mainstream technology, such as deaf alarm clocks and steady spoons for individuals with tremors.
- The third area highlights Google’s own assistive technology features found in products like Chromebook and Pixel.
Each section demonstrates how thoughtful design can create opportunities for people of all abilities.
A Space for Collaboration and Growth
While the launch of this center is an exciting milestone, Google acknowledges that there is still much work to be done.
The hope is that the Accessibility Discovery Centre will become a collaborative space where people from all walks of life can come together, innovate, and inspire one another to build a more inclusive future.
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