The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has announced the winners of its first Universal Design for Inclusion Program. The nationwide initiative is part of NMSS’s youth awareness efforts and empowers students to design solutions that support people with multiple sclerosis and other chronic conditions.
The program, run in partnership with six UAE universities, brought together more than 80 students and over 45 faculty and industry mentors. Students submitted more than 30 projects across three focus areas: cognitive, communication, and mobility.
- Cognitive: Lexy – an AI-powered tool from Higher Colleges of Technology Sharjah that simplifies complex text and supports Arabic, helping people with memory and concentration challenges.
- Communication: Ni’mah – a smart bracelet from University of Sharjah students that translates emergency sounds into light and vibration alerts for people with hearing impairments.
- Mobility: VersaGrip – an assistive grip device from Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation students, blending cultural Emirati jewelry design with functionality to reduce stigma around assistive tools.
Maral Alexandrian, Acting Executive Director at NMSS, said: “What stood out in this program was the creativity of the solutions and the empathy behind them. Each project reflected a deep awareness of the lived experiences not only of people with MS, but also of anyone whose mobility, communication, or cognitive abilities are impacted in ways that make daily life less accessible. Universal Design does not ask us to accommodate; it challenges us to create a world that works for everyone.
By embracing this principle, participants proved that accessibility is not a limitation but a catalyst for innovation. This program is cultivating a generation of problem-solvers whose impact will extend far beyond its walls, advancing NMSS’s vision of a society where inclusion and opportunity are daily realities, not distant aspirations.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the faculty and leadership of the partner universities. Their dedication to becoming early adopters of the program was truly instrumental in its success.”
By engaging youth and universities, the program aims to raise awareness, foster innovation, and prepare the next generation to embed accessibility and inclusion into their professional fields from the start.
The program was delivered in partnership with Abu Dhabi University, Al Ain University, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Khalifa University, and the University of Sharjah.
