Bulat Utemuratov Foundation Pilots SaqTag Safety Wristbands for Children with Autism
The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation is launching a pilot of SaqTag, a digital wristband designed to help reunite children with autism with their families more quickly if they become lost. The pilot will be rolled out across four Asyl Miras Autism Centers: one in Almaty, one in Ust-Kamenogorsk and two in Astana. If the pilot proves effective, the Foundation will consider expanding the initiative across its entire network of Asyl Miras centers in Kazakhstan.
Around 1,000 children will receive SaqTag wristbands equipped with an NFC chip and QR code. When scanned with a smartphone, the wristband provides access to the child’s emergency profile in Kazakh and Russian.
To protect personal data, parents will decide what information to include in their child’s profile. This may include the child’s name and age, emergency contact details, information about allergies or medical needs, and practical guidance on how best to communicate and interact with the child.
If a child becomes lost, the person who finds them can scan the QR code or NFC tag and receive clear instructions on what to do next. The service allows them to contact the child’s parents by phone or WhatsApp and share the child’s location. Parents will also receive an immediate notification when the profile is accessed.
SaqTag was developed by Damir Mukanaliyev, the father of a child with autism.
“The idea for SaqTag was inspired by the story of a father in the United States. Later, I learned that similar digital solutions were already helping families in Europe. As the father of a child with ASD, I know this concern personally: what happens if I am not there and my daughter cannot tell someone her name or ask for help? That is how SaqTag was created: a solution adapted to our local context that is simple, convenient and functional,” said Damir Mukanaliyev.
The Foundation will use the pilot to assess the service’s usability, relevance and value to families before deciding on further expansion.
A survey of parents across the Asyl Miras network found that 88% consider losing contact with their child a critical safety concern, while 96% said they would be willing to participate in the pilot.
“Children with autism can sometimes lose sight of their parents in public places, wander away or become lost. Due to their developmental needs, they may not always understand what to do in such situations or be able to ask for help. We hope SaqTag wristbands will help reduce these risks and improve children’s safety. Once we have assessed the results of the pilot, we will consider expanding the initiative across the entire Asyl Miras Autism Center network,” said Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation.
About the “Autism. One World for All” Programme. The “Autism. One World for All” programme has been implemented by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation since 2015. Through the programme, the Foundation has established a network of 13 Asyl Miras Autism Centers in 12 cities across Kazakhstan, where more than 17,500 children have received free support based on evidence-based approaches.
About SaqTag
SaqTag is a Kazakhstan-developed digital safety solution combining an NFC-enabled wristband and QR code. It enables people who find a lost child to access essential information and contact the child’s family without installing an app. More information: saqtag.kz