Ministry of Family Concludes Landmark Participation in AccessAbilities Expo 2026
The Ministry of Family has concluded a significant presence at the 8th edition of AccessAbilities Expo, showcasing innovative initiatives and forging strategic partnerships to advance empowerment and inclusion for People of Determination across the UAE.
The Ministry of Family has concluded its participation in the 8th edition of AccessAbilities Expo, held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 19 to 21 October, reinforcing its commitment to developing comprehensive national policies and fostering equal opportunities for People of Determination. The exhibition brought together approximately 250 exhibitors, brands and rehabilitation centres from nearly 50 countries, attracting more than 15,000 visitors who engaged with innovative solutions and transformative initiatives.
Throughout the three-day exhibition, the Ministry’s pavilion served as a focal point for meaningful engagement, with visitors exploring an extensive range of programmes and initiatives designed to empower People of Determination and develop their capabilities. Attendees participated in hands-on workshops fostering creative and practical skills whilst discovering innovative rehabilitation solutions, early detection technologies, and interactive professional empowerment experiences. The Ministry’s initiatives provided several People of Determination with the opportunity to progress through initial recruitment stages, bringing them closer to securing meaningful employment.
Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, emphasised that AccessAbilities Expo unlocked significant opportunities to advance the empowerment agenda across the Emirates. She articulated that the Ministry will draw upon insights and ideas shared by visitors to drive meaningful progress in the lives of People of Determination, underpinned by proactive policies anticipating evolving needs and supporting accessibility throughout all life stages. These endeavours will establish an inclusive national framework grounded in equal opportunities, enabling People of Determination to contribute actively to education, the workforce and the country’s sustainable development within the broader context of the Year of Family.
A cornerstone of the Ministry’s participation involved advancing its institutional partnership agenda through two memoranda of understanding with the University of Sharjah and Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. These agreements unlock new opportunities to leverage academic research and professional expertise for developing tailored policies and solutions, whilst aligning institutional efforts with national development priorities. The partnership with the University of Sharjah will support specialised research focused on priority areas and talent development, whilst collaboration with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services facilitates pathways from education and rehabilitation into vocational training and employment, leveraging the Ministry’s Mashaghel Rehabilitation Centres.
The Ministry’s pavilion presented a pilot artificial intelligence powered application, developed in collaboration with Emirates Health Services, designed to identify early indicators of autism spectrum disorder in children aged 18 to 24 months through initial screening within two to three minutes. Additionally, the Virtual Elevator experience demonstrated the interconnected pathway of identifying abilities, providing training, enhancing productivity and promoting independence, whilst a simulated recruitment process delivered in collaboration with ImInclusive provided practical insights into skills assessment, job interviews and workplace accommodations.
Engagement with visitors, specialists and stakeholders generated valuable insights for enhancing services and programmes, deepening understanding of rehabilitation challenges and employment transitions whilst highlighting opportunities for technological solutions and strategic partnerships. These outcomes underscore the Ministry of Family’s commitment to integrating knowledge, rehabilitation and economic opportunities, strengthening institutional capacity to respond to evolving needs in line with national priorities centred on family stability, enhanced quality of life and active family contribution to the UAE’s development journey.
Source: WAM