Ministry of Family Unveils Transformative Empowerment Initiatives at AccessAbilities Expo 2026
The Ministry of Family showcases an innovative portfolio of programmes and smart solutions designed to advance accessibility, inclusion and independence for People of Determination, reinforcing the UAE's position as a global leader in empowerment.
The Ministry of Family is presenting a comprehensive collection of pioneering programmes and intelligent technological solutions at the 8th edition of the AccessAbilities Expo, which opened at Dubai World Trade Centre. This significant participation reflects the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to supporting People of Determination and cultivating their capabilities for meaningful contribution to the nation’s sustainable development trajectory.
Operating under the theme “Integrating Communities, Enabling Lives”, the Ministry’s exhibition encompasses an array of innovative projects and immersive interactive experiences. The initiatives encompass early detection of autism spectrum disorder in children, vocational rehabilitation, the cultivation of creative and practical skills, and comprehensive labour market readiness programmes. This strategic portfolio reflects a cohesive vision linking early detection, rehabilitation, capability development and sustainable career pathways, whilst fostering seamless collaboration across healthcare, social, educational institutions and the private sector.
Minister of Family Sana bint Mohammed Suhail emphasised that the Expo provides an essential platform for demonstrating progress in empowering People of Determination and exploring innovations that elevate service delivery and community engagement. She highlighted how advances in assistive technologies and rehabilitation programmes unlock new opportunities for deploying tailored modern solutions, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to maintaining pace with global developments.
In collaboration with Emirates Health Services, the Ministry is presenting an artificial intelligence powered pilot application designed to advance preliminary screening of potential autism spectrum disorder indicators in children aged 18 to 24 months, requiring merely two to three minutes for assessment. Specialists from Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital demonstrate the application’s functionality and explain how it facilitates early intervention identification.
The exhibition features the “Silent Challenge”, an interactive experience simulating communication barriers encountered by individuals with hearing impairments, introducing visitors to sign language and accessible communication methodologies. Hands-on workshops led by rehabilitation centre students enable participants to create acrylic items and art pieces, demonstrating the artistic and productive capabilities developed through rehabilitation programmes.
The “Virtual Elevator” experience illustrates the comprehensive vocational rehabilitation journey, from skills identification through to professional preparation and independent achievement. A simulated recruitment experience, developed in cooperation with ImInclusive, features practical assessments, interviews and candidate profile development, enabling employers to evaluate competencies and alignment with available roles.
The Ministry’s pavilion welcomes direct engagement with specialists, facilitating service exploration, improvement proposals and insights into the needs of People of Determination and their families, ensuring their active participation in enhancing service provision. These endeavours underscore the Ministry’s commitment to delivering services that genuinely respond to the expectations and requirements of People of Determination, guided by a comprehensive vision for empowerment and societal inclusion aligned with the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
Source: WAM