Sharjah - UAE
The Sharjah Museums Authority celebrated the International Day of Sign Languages by organizing the “Let’s Live Together” initiative, which included a group of events and programs aimed at enhancing community communication and expanding the participation of people with hearing disabilities in cultural and cognitive experiences, reflecting the authority’s keenness to provide an inclusive museum environment that provides all members of society with equal opportunities for learning, interaction and participation.

Launching activities between civilization and science

The first activities began on Saturday at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, and continued on Sunday at the Sharjah Science Museum, through an interactive program entitled “Science Challenge with Families,” which is dedicated to families with children with hearing disabilities. The initiative was held this year under the slogan “Statement of the Rights of Deaf People,” focusing on it in museums, celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity, and promoting the importance of sign languages ​​as a basic means of communication, empowerment, and community participation.

Dialogue sessions and sign language tours
All activities of the initiative were presented in sign language, ensuring effective and facilitated participation of the deaf. The event at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization included two dialogue sessions, the first entitled “The Rights of Deaf People... from Principles to Application,” while the second session was titled “With Their Voices... How Do We Reshape the Museum Experience?” The program also included guided tours in sign language and a training course in its basics, which allowed participants to learn more deeply about the rights of the deaf and discuss challenges and solutions related to accessibility.

“Distinguished Sign Language Mentor” Program

The Authority launched the “Distinguished Sign Language Guide” program, which provides training for people with hearing disabilities to become distinguished guides in the museum field, which contributes to empowering them and enhancing their effective participation in the museum environment. The Authority also works to develop the skills of its employees in communicating and interacting with the deaf, and to promote the use of sign language within museum programs and services.

The importance of the initiative for Arab tourists
This initiative represents a pioneering model in comprehensive cultural tourism in the Arab region, as Sharjah Museums open their doors to deaf tourists from various Arab and foreign countries through guided tours in sign language and facilitated programmes. It also enhances Sharjah's position as a cultural tourism destination that takes into account the needs of all visitors, making it a preferred choice for Arab families that include individuals with hearing disabilities, and supports the emirate's trends towards inclusive and sustainable tourism.