Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Centre
The Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center is an assistive technology facility located at Zayed University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Established in 2012, the Center supports Students of Determination by Providing access to specialised assistive technologies that facilitate equal participation in higher education.
The Center operates under Zayed University’s Student Accessibility Services department and forms part of the institution’s framework for inclusive education.
History
The centre was created with the support of AED 1 million contribution from Khalaf Al Habtoor (UAE businessman), which helped establish a facility focused on assistive technology at the university . It was formally opened on 15 April 2012 by Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, who was then Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as part of an initiative to broaden accessibility services in federal higher education institutions in the UAE..
Facilities and services
The Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center provides a range of assistive technologies designed to support students with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments. Available resources include screen-reading software, text-magnification devices, Braille typing tools, and other specialised hardware and software used to facilitate academic access.
The Center also offers training and guidance on the use of assistive technologies in academic settings. Access to the facility is provided to enrolled students and, where applicable, to members of the wider community through supervised use.
Role in accessibility and employment
According to reporting by The National, access to assistive technology within higher education contributes to improved employment readiness for graduates with disabilities by supporting the development of skills aligned with workplace requirements. Facilities such as the Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center contribute to these broader accessibility objectives within the UAE education sector.