H.E. Mr. Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Nuaim, Chairman, Board of Trustees President of AUDI; and Ms. Betty Dion, President of Global Alliance for Accessible Technologies and Environments – GAATES), on Monday March 3rd 2008, signed a memorandum of understanding, to frame their cooperation on making the Arab cities more humanitarian, enhance the living conditions of the (permanent or temporary) handicapped people, and facilitate their access to services and utilities provided for the residents.
The suggested fields of cooperation include the following:
- Conducting joint training programs in Arab capital cities to educate architects and engineers of principles of universal design and accessibility in the built environments. Communicate with donors and concerned cities to arrange for obtaining the necessary funding.
- Disseminate the understanding of (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), which has been approved by 120 state worldwide in March 2007.
- The promotion and implementation of accessibility as part of the building, adaptation, and re-construction of suitable built, social and virtual environments.
- The provision of technical expertise in the development of accessible electronic, information and communication technologies.
- The promotion and implementation of accessible user interface technologies.
- The promotion of effective communication through the provision of alternative formats, telecommunications, and electronic, information and communication technology products.
- Dissemination of knowledge and building capabilities through collaborative training programs and workshops.
AUDI & GAATES will soon develop an action plan to activate the terms of this agreement to be realized on the ground.