The Dubai World Trade Centre is set to host an exhibition featuring 300 international exhibitors, brands, and rehabilitation centers from 50 countries. Nadd Al Shiba PR and Event Management, the organizer, anticipates over 14,000 visitors hailing from more than 70 countries.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, as well as the Event Patron of AccessAbilities Expo, expressed satisfaction with the success of the fifth edition. The event saw a 20 percent increase in both exhibitor and visitor numbers, drawing participants from over 50 and 70 countries, respectively. Sheikh Ahmed emphasized that the event’s triumph has bolstered the UAE’s reputation as a champion in supporting and empowering people with determination, solidifying its status as a global hub for assistive technologies. 
Looking ahead, Sheikh Ahmed predicts record growth in the upcoming edition, with a surge in global exhibitors specializing in advanced technologies that empower people with determination. He underscored the significance of regional rehabilitation centers in serving over 50 million people with determination in the Middle East. Proud of the event’s past success, Sheikh Ahmed called for collaborative efforts to provide services and facilities that enable individuals with determination worldwide to live independently and build better futures.
The Expo aims to bridge the accessibility gap by showcasing a diverse range of innovative products, some making their Middle East debut. These products cover advanced technologies for individuals with physical, visual, auditory, intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only one in 10 people who require assistive technology currently has access due to factors like high costs, lack of awareness, insufficient trained staff, and ineffective policies.
Assistive technology, an umbrella term encompassing systems and services for people with disabilities, includes products such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, communication aids, glasses, and prosthetics. The WHO’s latest report on assistive technology highlights that 90 percent of those globally in need lack access. A survey of 70 countries mentioned in the report reveals substantial gaps in assistive services provision and a shortage of trained professionals.