The activities were part of SMA’s “Let’s Live Together” initiative, held this year under the theme “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights”, with a particular focus on Deaf people’s rights in museums.

The programme began on Saturday, September 12, at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, and continued on Sunday at the Sharjah Science Museum with the “Science Challenge for Families” programme.

The initiative highlighted linguistic and cultural diversity and the importance of sign languages as essential tools for communication, empowerment and community participation. It also provided greater insight into Deaf culture and the rights of Deaf people, while promoting more inclusive and accessible environments.

The programme targeted people with hearing disabilities aged 15 and over, their families, sign language interpreters, hearing-disability specialists, relevant institutions and associations, museum employees, cultural-sector professionals, and those interested in accessibility and inclusion. All activities were delivered in sign language to enable effective participation.

Promoting accessibility in museums

The programme featured two panel discussions. The first, titled “Deaf People’s Rights... From Principles to Practice”, examined the rights of Deaf people and accessibility in museums and cultural institutions.

The second, “In Their Voices... How Can We Reshape the Museum Experience?”, highlighted the experiences and perspectives of Deaf people and explored ways to make the museum experience more inclusive.

The programme also featured sign-language-guided tours and a training course covering the basics of sign language. The activities provided opportunities to discuss accessibility challenges and solutions, strengthen dialogue with specialists and cultural institutions, and contribute to improving museum practices and services.

They also reinforced Deaf people's right to access knowledge and to participate fully in cultural life.

Science and family engagement

The programme continued at the Sharjah Science Museum on Sunday with the “Science Challenge for Families”, an interactive event for families of children with disabilities. Held in conjunction with the UAE’s Year of Family and the International Day of Sign Languages, the programme combined science, entertainment and shared learning.

It aimed to strengthen family cooperation and bonds while demonstrating the importance of sign language as an effective means of communication within families and across the wider community.

Children and their relatives also developed scientific-thinking skills, including observation, prediction and reasoning, through interactive challenges tailored to different age groups.

A long-standing inclusion initiative

Held annually since 2017, the “Let’s Live Together” initiative has become a platform for Deaf people and other members of society to communicate, exchange ideas and interact, while promoting inclusion, coexistence and community participation.

The initiative attracts approximately 150 Deaf participants from around the world each year, alongside participants from different segments of society.

Over the years, it has welcomed Deaf participants from several Arab countries and other parts of the world, facilitating the exchange of experiences, knowledge and cultures and strengthening connections among Deaf communities.

In 2024, the initiative welcomed Deaf participants from the People’s Republic of China, as well as visitors from various Arab countries.

For three consecutive years, SMA has also provided museum-guided tours for groups of Deaf visitors from the United States in collaboration with relevant entities.

Expanding opportunities for Deaf participation

SMA’s efforts extend beyond the “Let’s Live Together” initiative to include programmes and activities for Deaf people, such as participation in Arab Deaf Week, sign-language guided tours led by guides with hearing disabilities, panel discussions and accessible museum activities.

The Authority has also launched the “Distinguished Sign-Language Guide” programme, which trains people with hearing disabilities to become museum guides, thereby empowering them to play an active role in museums.

These guided tours introduce Deaf visitors from abroad to Sharjah’s history and culture, as well as the collections across its museums, while fostering cultural exchange and strengthening engagement with the international Deaf community.

As part of its long-term vision, SMA continues to develop its employees’ skills in communicating with and engaging Deaf people and to expand the use of sign language across its museum programmes and services.

It also helps to establish and develop partnerships with organisations, centres and institutions concerned with Deaf people to support the sustainability and continued development of its programmes and initiatives.

SMA plans to use the findings from the panel discussions, recommendations from speakers and suggestions from participants to improve accessibility programmes across its museums.

The Authority will also seek to strengthen partnerships with entities working in the field of hearing disability and to continue advancing museum programmes and services in line with international best practices for inclusion and accessibility.

These efforts reflect Sharjah’s vision of establishing culture as a right accessible to all, strengthening Deaf people’s participation in museums and cultural activities, and embedding accessibility principles within cultural practice.