Public Safety & Accessibility Workshop – Advancing Inclusive Safety Systems for All

October 20, 2025

As part of the Secure Communities Forum’s ongoing commitment to advancing inclusive public safety, the SCF hosted the second session of its Fall Workshop Series on Public Safety and People of Determination (the term used in the UAE for individuals with disabilities). The series, inspired by the UAE’s Year of Community, brings together experts from government, academia, and the private sector to explore how safety systems can better serve every member of society.

This session, titled “Public Safety & Accessibility,” focused on the intersection between accessibility and public safety — both in the physical and digital realms. The discussion examined how to ensure that emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts are designed to meet the needs of People of Determination, and that accessibility is embedded into the DNA of community safety strategies.

The panel featured:

• Eitan Charnoff, Secretariat, Secure Communities Forum — a veteran first responder and public safety practitioner, who shared real-world insights on inclusive emergency operations and the importance of empowering first responders with the right tools and training.

• Dania Al-Adhami, CPACC, CPABE-II, Accessibility Consultant at Design Confidence — who presented practical frameworks for improving accessibility compliance and design across built environments and digital systems.

• Benjamin Shor, Senior Consultant at Granicus — who highlighted the vital role of digital accessibility in government communications, especially during emergencies, to ensure that information reaches all citizens effectively.
  

The dialogue underscored how collaboration between governments, private sector innovators, and community stakeholders is critical to building safety systems that are both effective and equitable. From inclusive evacuation planning to accessible digital alerts, participants discussed tangible steps that can make emergency systems more responsive to diverse needs.

Reflecting SCF’s central belief that a secure society must also be an inclusive one, this workshop exemplifies how multi-sector partnerships can translate awareness into action. By embedding accessibility into every phase of public safety — from design to deployment — communities can enhance resilience and ensure that no one is left behind in times of crisis.