Over three days of Aurora50’s inaugural Inclusive Workplaces Summit in November 2024, we spoke to many people of determination to share their stories of how to find fulfilling work and make workplaces inclusive.
You can find links below to all five stories in full:
Noura, Learning & Development Administrator at Conrad Abu Dhabi, who had facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), advised others to be authentic, to focus on abilities and show commitment and excitement.
Ms Farag dreamed of seeing more POD in workplaces. “Often, we’re present but not seen. Companies must take a chance, adapt, and help us unlock our potential.
“Like everyone else, we just want a foot in the door to prove we can be the right hire.”
Soon after the inspirational Noura shared her journey to a meaningful career, she sadly died. We dedicate our interview with Noura to her memory.
Aarti Shah, who has Down’s syndrome, is a marketing assistant, a powerlifter who won gold at the Asian Powerlifting Championship, representing the UAE, and also a Bollywood actress.
“When you set your mind to a goal, everything starts to fall into place,” she says.
Marco Giovannoli, an Etihad engineer and author of Miracle in the Desert, suffered a stroke in 2022.
Not returning to work “wasn’t an option” for him.
“Fortunately, my disabilities are physical, with no cognitive impairments and only a mild speech disorder,” he says.
He returned to work after five months and wrote his book to capture his journey of self-discovery and recovery.
Nadi Choueiri, a sound engineer, DJ instructor and founder of Spin Music, lives with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic condition causing gradual central vision loss.
He teaches at the Al Noor Training Centre for People of Determination (POD) in Dubai and is setting up DJ school, Spin Music in Dubai. “Music doesn’t see disability,” he says.
Ahmed Mehaya, Operations Manager at Proxy Medical Trading, lives with limited arm mobility and a prosthetic leg after two motorbike accidents.
He says the UAE provides an “accommodating environment” for people of determination but urges workplaces to prioritise accessibility, such as handicapped bathrooms, ramps or elevators.
#bethechange #peopleofdeterminationuae
![[A50 template] From left to right: cybersecurity specialist Dr Hoda Alkhzaimi; HE Sarah Al Amiri, chair of the UAE Space Agency; Salma Al Hajeri, one of the first women to graduate from Abu Dhabi’s Petroleum Institute; Aisha Al Mansoori, the first female Emirati captain in a commercial airline; aspiring scientist Alia Al Mansoori; and Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman astronaut|[A50 template] Aisha Al Mansoori, the first female Emirati captain in a commercial airline at Etihad. Photo credit Etihad|[A50 template] Alia Al Mansoori, aspiring Emirati scientist. Photo credit Alia Al Mansouri, Facebook|[A50 template] Dr Hoda Alkhzaimi, Director of the Center of Cyber Security in New York University Abu Dhabi. Photo credit Aurora50|[A50 template] HE Sarah Al Amiri, chair of the UAE Space Agency. Photo credit WAM|[A50 template] Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman astronaut. Photo credit WAM|[A50 template] Mubadala's Salma Al Hajeri, Salma Al Hajeri, one of the first women to graduate from Abu Dhabi’s Petroleum Institute. Photo credit Mubadala](https://aurora50.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/photo-collage-copy.jpg "[A50 template] From left to right: cybersecurity specialist Dr Hoda Alkhzaimi; HE Sarah Al Amiri, chair of the UAE Space Agency; Salma Al Hajeri, one of the first women to graduate from Abu Dhabi’s Petroleum Institute; Aisha Al Mansoori, the first female Emirati captain in a commercial airline; aspiring scientist Alia Al Mansoori; and Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman astronaut|[A50 template] Aisha Al Mansoori, the first female Emirati captain in a commercial airline at Etihad. Photo credit Etihad|[A50 template] Alia Al Mansoori, aspiring Emirati scientist. Photo credit Alia Al Mansouri, Facebook|[A50 template] Dr Hoda Alkhzaimi, Director of the Center of Cyber Security in New York University Abu Dhabi. Photo credit Aurora50|[A50 template] HE Sarah Al Amiri, chair of the UAE Space Agency. Photo credit WAM|[A50 template] Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman astronaut. Photo credit WAM|[A50 template] Mubadala's Salma Al Hajeri, Salma Al Hajeri, one of the first women to graduate from Abu Dhabi’s Petroleum Institute. Photo credit Mubadala")
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