Dubai: Technology has been helping people of determination to be more independent and increase their employability and many of these new devices will be exhibited in this year’s AccessAbilities Expo 2017 happening next month.
AccessAbilities Expo 2017, the Middle East’s largest expo for people with disabilities, will be held from November 7 to 9 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The three-day expo will have the participation of more than 150 companies from the USA, Canada, South Korea, the UK, Australia, Cyprus, India, China, Italy, Czech Republic, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE that will showcase the world’s latest assistive technology products and solutions and robotics.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said he is happy that this year’s AccessAbilities is bringing lots of new assistive technology and smart solutions for people with determination.
“Advancements in technology are helping people of determination function in a way that was not even thought of earlier, empowering and enabling them to function independently as well as increasing their employability,” said Shaikh Ahmad, who is the patron of the expo.
“The UAE leadership’s vision is to make the nation fully disabled-friendly and enhance the participation of people with disabilities in the community and economy and the nation is acting faster than other places in this area. Towards achieving this goal, there is a need for this assistive technology to reach the maximum number of people with determination, an estimated 50 million in the Middle East.”
The expo is in line with the UAE leadership’s aim to build hope, build life, build the future and make people from all walks of life happy and to make Dubai disabled-friendly by 2020.
Reflecting the UAE’s eagerness and strong efforts towards ensuring accessibility, the event has strong support from government bodies including the Ministry of Community Development, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Police, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Community Development Authority, Dubai Customs, Zayed Higher Organisation Abu Dhabi, etisalat and Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.
The event will showcase the world’s latest and most innovative smart technology products, highlight facilities for people with determination at UAE and regional government departments and allow attendees to share a vast amount of knowledge about key issues concerning disability.
