The Dubai Health Authority is participating in the eighth edition of the AccessAbilities Expo to demonstrate its ongoing efforts in creating equitable health services across the emirate. A WAM report detailed how the authority is presenting regulatory awareness projects alongside practical tools designed to improve access for individuals with disabilities. The event opened on October 19 and runs through October 21 with more than 240 exhibitors from 50 countries expected to draw around 18,000 visitors from over 70 nations, according to organisers. DHA showcases 3 initiatives to empower People of Determination at AccessAbilities Expo 2026 as part of this platform that also features conferences on autism spectrum disorder and workshops on assistive technologies.
Sanadhum, one of the featured projects, seeks to strengthen compliance among health facilities with the Dubai Universal Design Code and related health policies, a DHA assessment found. The initiative includes field inspection campaigns to verify that all services offer ease of access and priority treatment for people of determination. Asma Al Sharif, chief executive of DHA’s Health Regulatory Sector, said in remarks carried by the Emirates News Agency that providing comprehensive health care goes beyond developing infrastructure and services. She added that it extends to building an integrated health system that considers the needs of people of determination and ensures they can access services efficiently with dignity and independence.
Organisers of the AccessAbilities Expo reported that more than 3.5 billion people will need assistive technology products by 2030 while the global spending power of people with disabilities exceeds 18 trillion dollars. The Dubai Health Authority has aligned its participation with these global trends by emphasising both regulatory enforcement and community awareness in its presented initiatives. Earlier this year the authority launched a unified medical report project for people of determination that standardises diagnostic and classification processes across health providers, according to a separate WAM statement from May 2026. This digital integration links with the NABIDH platform which holds more than 10 million medical records and supports evidence-based decision making for inclusive care.
The expo also serves as a venue for DHA to engage directly with families, caregivers and sector partners to gather feedback on existing programs while exploring new collaborations. Public sector entities in Dubai have employed 326 people of determination including 237 UAE nationals as part of broader inclusion drives tracked by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department in its 2024 report. Such statistics underscore the authority’s role in a wider ecosystem that combines health services with employment and community participation opportunities for people of determination.
Additional exhibits at the gathering highlight innovative solutions ranging from AI-powered screening tools for autism in children aged 18 to 24 months to advanced prosthetic devices that enhance mobility and independence. The Dubai Health Authority’s presence reinforces Dubai’s position as a hub for assistive technologies and inclusive policies, a position echoed by multiple government entities participating in the three-day event. Organisers project the regional assistive devices market in the Middle East and Africa to reach 5 billion dirhams by 2030, figures that align with the strategic focus of initiatives presented by the authority and its partners.
