Emirati woman, Fatima Mohammed Al Jassim, represents a model of the strength of determination, will, and ability to confront the challenge of having cerebral palsy since her birth. She did not surrender or choose isolation, but rather turned her ordeal into a gift, and her illness into a way to help others, whether through volunteer activities and initiatives or a job in one of the most prominent cultural edifices in the Emirates, which is the Zayed National Museum.
At the beginning of her interview with Emirates Today, Fatima described herself as “lucky to have grown up in a family that believed in her and her abilities, and a homeland that provided her with all the opportunities not only to succeed but also to contribute to making positive changes for people of determination in the country,” adding that she was also lucky to have been afflicted with this disease, which also put her in front of greater challenges than those faced by those without disabilities, but it gave her a distinctive outlook and the ability to see things from a different side.
The young woman, who specializes in the “Accessibility” programs at the Zayed National Museum, expressed her happiness and pride in being a member of the work team in this huge edifice, and her pride in the name that the place bears, which is the name of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and the legacy that he perpetuates. She said: “I have not had the opportunity to see Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him, in person, but being in front of his pictures every day His possessions and the details of his biography represent a renewed motivation for me to give everything I can to serve my country.”
Challenges and honors
Regarding the challenges she faced, Fatima saw that the most prominent of them was how members of society viewed her since her childhood, as well as the unpreparedness of some places for people of determination. This challenge motivated her to choose the field of “accessibility” programs as a professional specialty, so that through her experience she could participate, even to a small extent, in serving the community and people of determination, through several volunteer initiatives and activities that she undertook, which qualified her to obtain several honors.
She pointed out that her proudest moment was when she was honored by the leaders of the Emirates, as she met His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, in more than one meeting. She was also honored by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, in 2017 among the “firsts in the Emirates” in the field of humanity and charitable work as the owner of the first community volunteer initiative concerned with By educating society about the art of dealing with people of determination, stressing that these high honors motivated her to continue her journey and to be an active person in society.
“accessibility”
Fatima Al-Jassim explained that the “Accessibility” specialty aims to design a smooth and accessible museum experience for all groups of people of determination, regardless of degrees and types of disabilities, pointing out that her work in the museum is not limited to visitors’ experiences only, but rather includes creating a comprehensive job environment for employees that believes that every human being has potential energy and the ability to give regardless of his physical abilities, since the museum opened its doors to visitors last December.
She noted that the museum was keen to provide services and programs that guarantee everyone a narrative experience of the place in accordance with the latest international standards, which also provides a comfortable cultural experience between the galleries and various events organized by the museum throughout the year, from which visitors and museum workers benefit. She expressed her hope to spread the concept of accessibility and comprehensive design among members of society of all ages, which contributes to creating a better and more comprehensive experience for future generations.
She stated that the programs specialized in inclusivity and accessibility at the Zayed National Museum are a prominent example of its efforts to empower different segments of society, including people of determination and others, as these programs open the way for community members to see themselves as part of the museum experience, and accompany them on a journey through the history of the Emirates that extends for thousands of years, using modern methods, starting from the entrance to the place equipped with all means of assistance, through the ticket office, all the way to the exhibition halls, in addition to the design of accessibility initiatives, and specially designed heights for archaeological collectibles. And their locations in the museum, as well as the design of display spaces and public places to suit wheelchair users.
Regarding her experience inside the museum, she noted her personal connection to Al Masar Garden, which is one of her favorite spaces and a place where she feels calm. The garden serves as an outdoor exhibition, telling the story of the founding father Sheikh Zayed through the landscapes that inspired his career, and the local plants it contains from three regions: the desert, the oasis, and the urban environment, which are the regions that make up the Emirati environment.
Biography of Ataa
Fatima Al Jassim, an activist and consultant in empowering people of determination, is the first Emirati woman to obtain international accreditation in inclusion and accessibility. She won the First Emirates Medal for the first voluntary initiative in the art of dealing with people of determination. She held prominent positions, including membership in the Advisory Council for the National Policy for People of Determination and the Dubai Youth Council. She also represented the country in international conferences as the first young Emirati delegate to the United Nations and the World Disability Conference.
Fatima has won several awards, including the most influential leader in the region, and the Sheikha Fatima Award for Community Intelligence. She contributes to creating an inclusive environment through policies and comprehensive design. She worked as a consultant at COP28, contributed to the New Kuwait Policy 2035, and also launched training programs at New York University Abu Dhabi and comprehensive education.
Fatima Al-Jassem:
. The disease also presented me with greater challenges than those faced by those without disabilities, but it gave me a distinctive outlook and the ability to see things from a different side.
. I have a personal connection to the Al Masar Garden at Zayed National Museum, which is my favorite space and the place where I feel calm.
. 2017 “Fatima” was honored among the “Emirati Pioneers”.
. The “Accessibility” specialization aims to design an accessible museum experience for all groups of people of determination, regardless of degrees of disability.
