The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has announced the three winning projects of the inaugural Universal Design for Inclusion Program. Part of NMSS’s youth awareness efforts, the program was delivered in partnership with six leading UAE universities across 11 campuses and supported by more than 45 faculty and industry mentors.
The first cycle brought together over 80 students and 30 design projects, tackling challenges in three key focus areas—cognition, communication, and mobility—where people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic conditions often face limitations in daily life.
Winning Projects
- Cognitive Category – Lexy
Developed by students at Higher Colleges of Technology Sharjah, Lexy is an AI-powered tool that simplifies complex text and tracks clarity in real time. With Arabic language support, it offers valuable assistance to people with memory and concentration challenges. - Communication Category – Ni’mah
Created by students at the University of Sharjah, Ni’mah is a discreet smart bracelet that translates emergency sounds into light and vibration alerts, enabling people with hearing impairments to respond quickly in critical situations. - Mobility Category – VersaGrip
Designed by students at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), VersaGrip is an AI-powered assistive grip device inspired by Emirati jewelry. The design blends cultural identity with functionality, while reducing stigma around assistive technology.
Building a Culture of Inclusion
“A standout feature of this program was the creativity of the solutions and the empathy behind them,” said Maral Alexandrian, Acting Executive Director at the National MS Society. “Universal Design does not ask us to accommodate; it challenges us to create a world that works for everyone. Participants proved that accessibility is not a limitation but a catalyst for innovation.”
She added her gratitude to the faculty and leadership of the partner universities for being early adopters of this initiative, calling their support “instrumental to its success.”
The program provided students with immersive experiences including empathy workshops, sessions with people living with chronic conditions, and mentorship from industry professionals—ensuring designs were not only innovative but also grounded in lived realities.
About the Program
The Universal Design for Inclusion Program reflects NMSS’s mission to equip the next generation of innovators with the mindset and skills to embed accessibility from the start. By engaging youth in culturally relevant and inclusive design, NMSS ensures accessibility becomes a foundation for progress, not an afterthought.
Partner universities included: Abu Dhabi University, Al Ain University, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, Higher Colleges of Technology, Khalifa University, and the University of Sharjah.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Established in 2022 under the Ministry of Community Empowerment, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) is a UAE-based NGO dedicated to improving the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) through education, advocacy, and advancing global efforts toward a cure. Governed by a board of trustees and supported by advisory committees, ambassadors, and volunteers, NMSS works with leading medical institutions and global partners to provide trusted care and resources for the MS community in the UAE.
For more information, visit www.nationalmssociety.ae
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