Ministry of Family Advances Employment Pathways for People of Determination at AccessAbilities Expo 2026
The Ministry of Family has unveiled a comprehensive suite of innovative programmes designed to foster independence, skills development and labour market participation for People of Determination, culminating in successful recruitment initiatives at the eighth edition of the AccessAbilities Expo.
The Ministry of Family has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to advancing opportunities for People of Determination through an impressive array of integrated initiatives presented at the AccessAbilities Expo 2026, which concluded at Dubai World Trade Centre. The showcase represented a significant milestone in the ministry’s ongoing endeavour to create pathways towards greater independence, meaningful employment and fuller participation in community life.
The centrepiece of the Ministry’s participation was its direct recruitment initiative, wherein candidates were evaluated for alignment with available positions. Through this forward-thinking approach, several successful appointments were formalised, with employment contracts signed at the pavilion itself. This tangible outcome exemplifies the Ministry’s strategic bridging of vocational rehabilitation with genuine employment opportunities, facilitating the integration of People of Determination into the labour market and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Under the overarching theme of “Integrating Communities, Enabling Lives”, the Ministry curated an exceptionally diverse portfolio of interactive experiences that engaged visitors across multiple dimensions of inclusion and empowerment. Visitors encountered immersive demonstrations of early detection solutions for autism spectrum disorder, whilst also gaining insights into accessible communication methodologies tailored for individuals with hearing impairments. Particularly noteworthy was the “Silent Challenge”, an experiential activity that simulated communication barriers faced by those with hearing disabilities, introducing participants to sign language fundamentals and fostering deeper understanding of accessible interaction methods.
The Ministry collaborated with Emirates Health Services to present an artificial intelligence-powered pilot application designed to support preliminary screening for autism spectrum disorder in children aged 18 to 24 months, delivering initial assessments within two to three minutes. Specialists from Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital provided comprehensive demonstrations, underscoring the critical importance of early detection and timely intervention in optimising outcomes for affected families.
Vocational rehabilitation formed another cornerstone of the exhibition, with the “Virtual Elevator” experience illustrating a sophisticated, step-by-step methodology encompassing skills identification, capability assessment, targeted training, practical application and the cultivation of independence. In partnership with ImInclusive, the Ministry introduced a meticulously designed simulated recruitment experience featuring practical assessments, interview components and candidate profile development, demonstrating how competencies can be thoughtfully matched against role requirements with appropriate workplace adjustments.
Students from rehabilitation centres led hands-on workshops wherein participants collaborated on acrylic artworks and painted creations featuring designs by People of Determination, subsequently transformed into cherished keepsakes. These sessions provided compelling evidence of the artistic and productive capabilities fostered through comprehensive rehabilitation programming.
Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary for the Empowerment of People of Determination and Senior Citizens at the Ministry of Family, emphasised that the exhibition exemplified the Ministry’s integrated approach spanning early detection, awareness elevation, skills development, vocational rehabilitation and employment expansion. She highlighted how direct engagement with visitors created meaningful opportunities to showcase the considerable talents and productive capabilities of People of Determination, whilst reinforcing the significance of coordinated efforts in developing responsive programmes and services.
Source: WAM