DUBAI // The thought that with just a quick touch of her fingers she will be able to identify currency like a sighted person excites Abla Al Kaabi and means an end to her time-consuming daily routine of folding and separating notes.
Every day Ms Al Kaabi, who works with the Emirates Association for the Blind and is vision impaired, folds notes to help differentiate between denominations and places these in different sections of her wallet.
The UAE Central Bank’s plan to introduce Braille features on notes has raised hopes among blind residents that they can be truly independent.
Ms al Kaabi requires assistance from friends, relatives or her driver to let her know if the notes she has been handed back are the correct ones after she visits a shop on her own.
“I can see a bit because I’m not totally blind. I learnt from a friend in university to stack notes in different sections,” said Ms Al Kaabi, who has retinitis pigmentosa, which causes gradual loss of vision. Her vision began deteriorating in university, starting with a reduced ability to see at night.
“If I don’t organise my notes every day then I cannot use the notes myself. So when I give money I know what I have given. But when people return money I have to ask my family if it’s right. Mostly people don’t cheat, but some people cheat.”
A restaurant delivery man once passed off a Dh10 note as Dh20.
“One time you may leave it, but that is not good because they may take more from you, so Braille notes will really help us,” she said.
The timeline on introducing the notes has not been announced. Initially Dh100 and Dh50 notes with Braille features may be introduced before extending this to all notes.
Smartphone apps also help to identify the denomination when a note is held in front of the camera.
But Mr Ahmed Karim, an expatriate who is blind and works as an administration co-ordinator, said this was not always effective. Nothing compares to instantly identifying notes, he said.
“Money reader apps on the smartphone are good, but I have to show the notes one by one so it takes time. And sometimes notes will not be recognised if someone writes on it, so then it’s a nightmare. Braille notes will benefit us a lot.”
In July, when the UAE Central Bank announced that it had begun the process to include Braille signs in notes, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, tweeted: “I call on the UAE Central Bank to use Braille script in banknotes to make it easier for those without the blessing of eyesight.”
The plan has received widespread support.
“Not many banks have come out with this Braille initiative, it is a welcome gesture,” said Sudhir Shetty, chief operating officer of the UAE Exchange
“It will have all the security features of a normal bill and in addition there will be Braille markings.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
More on animal trafficking
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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Company%20Profile
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THE%20SPECS
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
