Sheikh Ahmed: Technology is empowering people of 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. 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 the economy and the nation is acting faster than other places in this area. Toward achieving this goal, there is a need for this assistive technology to reach the maximum number of people with disabilities, an estimated over 50 million in the Middle East.”

These remarks came from His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group ahead of AccessAbilities Expo 2017, the Middle East’s largest expo for people with disabilities, taking place from November 7-9, 2017, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Sheikh Ahmed, who is the Patron of AccessAbilities Expo, said: “I am happy that this year AccessAbilities is bringing lots of new assistive technology and smart solutions, which will benefit people with disabilities.”

The 3-day expo will have participation from over 150 companies from countries including USA, Canada, South Korea, UK, Australia, Cyprus, India, China, Italy, Czech Republic, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who will showcase the world’s latest assistive technology products and solutions and robotics.

The Expo is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build hope, build life, build the future and make people from all walks of life happy and is driven by the goal set by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to make Dubai disabled friendly by 2020.

Reflecting the UAE’s eagerness and strong efforts toward ensuring accessibility, the event has a strong support from government bodies including Ministry of Community Development, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Police, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, Community Development Authority (CDA), Dubai Customs, Zayed Higher Organisation Abu Dhabi, Etisalat and Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

Organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East and Nadd AlShiba PR and Event Management, the expo aims to benefit over 750 million individuals with disabilities worldwide (according to WHO), 50 million of whom are in the Middle East. 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.