The Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination signed the agreement with Cuddle Family to adapt existing children’s stories and educational materials into formats usable by those with visual impairments. Distribution will occur through the organisation’s established network of centres and outreach programmes, according to a WAM report. The initiative targets young users in particular and forms part of ongoing efforts to integrate people of determination into mainstream cultural and learning activities.
A population-based survey published in the Journal of Ophthalmology found that presenting visual impairment affects roughly 7.4 percent of Emiratis and non-Emiratis aged 40 and older in Dubai after optical correction. Dubai Statistics Center figures show 247 registered cases of visual disabilities within a total of 9,040 people of determination recorded in the emirate in 2024. These numbers illustrate the scale of demand for specialised content that the new partnership seeks to address.
The Zayed Higher Organisation previously worked with Zayed National Museum to create Arabic and English Braille resources along with tactile stations and sensory kits for visitors with visual impairments. That 2025 project, the first of its kind in the Middle East for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme at a cultural institution, included descriptive narration and sign language tours. The Cuddle Family agreement builds directly on this experience by extending accessible formats into home-based family entertainment and early learning materials.
Cuddle Family’s library of engaging children’s stories will be converted through joint production that includes audio descriptions and raised illustrations. Caregiver training sessions will accompany the rollout to help families incorporate the adapted content into daily routines. The phased implementation begins with pilot programmes at selected Abu Dhabi facilities before wider distribution.
Zayed Higher Organisation initiatives in 2025 included a unified national card for people of determination set for launch by January 2026 in cooperation with the Ministry of Family as well as renewed international agreements with bodies such as the China Disabled Persons’ Federation. These programmes focus on harmonising diagnostic standards, expanding smart services and exchanging best practices in rehabilitation and inclusion. The accessible-content partnership aligns with the same strategic emphasis on removing barriers to participation.
Organisation data indicate that ZHO supports thousands of individuals annually through vocational, educational and cultural programmes, many of which now incorporate feedback from users to refine delivery methods. The Cuddle Family collaboration adds a dedicated stream for blind children and their families, ensuring content matches both developmental needs and cultural context. Monitoring of initial uptake will inform adjustments and potential expansion to additional languages and formats.
