Dubai: A team of employees from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) are learning sign language to better communicate with the people of determination among clients and those within the organisation.
Dewa has launched a new ‘Sign Language’ diploma course for its employees as part of the entity’s efforts as a socially responsible and people of determination-friendly government organisation.
This move is also part of the action plan adopted by Dewa’s Advisory Council for People of Determination.
The advanced communication programme consists of six levels, each lasting a whole week. The trainees then serve as ambassadors of the programme among their fellow employees to ensure knowledge transfer.
“Dewa’s initiatives and programmes, targeting people of determination, contribute to achieving the UAE Vision 2021, to preserve a cohesive society that is proud of its identity and sense of belonging. Dewa supports the National Policy to Empower People of Determination, launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create an inclusive society that ensures empowerment and a decent life for people of determination and their families,” Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa.
The move is also in line with the ‘My Community... a City for Everyone’ initiative launched to transform Dubai into a city that is friendly for people of determination by 2020.
Al Tayer pointed out that Dewa had launched the Ash’ir service for instant video communication using sign language for people of determination with hearing impairment to communicate directly with Dewa’s Customer Care Centre.
Dewa has also customised its website and smart application to suit the needs of people of determination. In recognition of its efforts to support people of determination, Dewa won the ‘People of determination-friendly government entity’ award at the 21st Dubai Government Excellence Programme (DGEP) Awards.
“Dewa works to integrate people of determination and achieve their happiness by ensuring a qualified and flexible environment. Dewa launches pioneering initiatives and programmes to develop the capabilities and skills of its own staff for dealing with people of determination, providing them with the same opportunities and services as other customers,” said Dr Yousuf Al Akraf, executive vice-president of Business Support and Human Resources and chairman of Dewa’s Advisory Council for People of Determination.
“These efforts have contributed to raising social happiness about Dewa’s role as an organisation that supports people of determination from 87 per cent in 2013 to 94.3 per cent in 2017,” he added.
