Telecom provider Etisalat and the Ministry of Community Development in the UAE launched a web extension on Wednesday that will make internet browsing easier for autistic people.
Etisalat teamed up with Belgian IT company Bliss to design the web extension.
The new tool will be available on Etisalat’s website and the Google Extensions page.
Once activated, a standard web page will appear as an autistic-friendly one.
A common phenomenon that autistic people can experience is sensory overload, where the brain receives more information than it can handle
Websites will have simpler settings such as neutral colours, simplified fonts, menus and layouts.
There will be fewer images, advertisement blockers and carousel freezing to avoid overstimulation of the senses.
According to the World Health Organisation's estimates, one in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disorder.
This estimate represents an average figure, and can vary substantially across studies.
Some well-controlled studies have, however, reported figures that are substantially higher. The prevalence of ASD in many low- and middle-income countries is so far unknown, according to WHO.
People with autism are often sensitive to their environment. They have unusually delicate sensory systems, which means that their senses can be easily overloaded.
Dr Shereen Sharaan, a postdoctoral researcher in psychology affiliated with The University of Edinburgh and Emirates Autism Centre, said: "Autism affects how you perceive and interact with the world, and there are differences in how an autistic person's brain receives, processes, manages, and translates information into behaviour.
“A common phenomenon that autistic people can experience is sensory overload, where the brain receives more information than it can handle.
“This can result in confusion, anxiety, meltdowns, and/or even physical pain in autistic people.
“Unfortunately, sensory overload can be an all-too-common experience for autistic people, especially when spending time online, which is something most people need to do on a daily basis for work, education, leisure, and communication.”
April 2 is observed as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those diagnosed with the disorder.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
