His Excellency Jamal Al Hai, Member Federal National Council (FNC) and Deputy CEO Dubai Airports, today opened the Middle East's largest Expo for the disabled, with more than 150 exhibitors from over 30 nations, federal government bodies, special education centres and associations showcasing the most recent smart assistive innovation, efforts and facilities focused on improving the lives of the handicapped.

"AccessAbilities Expo is a major turning point in the UAE's trip to becoming fully disabled-friendly by 2020. The UAE is strongly committed to empowering and including the disabled in the society and the impact of the federal government's focus toward inclusion is clearly visible at this Expo as most of the exhibitors from government bodies and private organisations have employees with disabilities on their stands," he stated at the end of his tour of the Expo, spread over 8,000 sqm in Halls 7 and 8 of Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

After cutting the ceremonial ribbon to state the official opening of the Expo, Jamal Al Hai, accompanied by His Excellency Helal Al Marri, Director General of Dubai Tourism and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre and top-tier government officials, diplomats, businessmen and other dignitaries, began the tour by going to the stand Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), which showcased its just recently launched 'Ashir' service, a live video chat service using sign language that allows people with disabilities to interact directly with DEWA's call centre personnel.

Jamal Al Hai likewise went to the stalls of Dubai Municipality, Department of Economic Development, Roads and Transport Authority, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Community Development Authority and Dubai.

Customizeds. His Excellency likewise visited stalls of personal exhibitors and saw the latest assistive technology products on display screen, met representatives of associations for the disabled.

Being held under the patronage of 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, AccessAbilities Expo includes participation from over 30 countries including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, India, China, Italy, Taiwan, Spain, Czech Republic, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Oman, the Netherlands, Singapore, Pakistan and the UAE.

The 3-day Expo is being arranged by Reed Exhibitions Middle East and Nadd AlShiba Public Relations and Event Management.
Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: "AccessAbilities Expo has actually brought the world's finest assistive innovation products and developments to the region, which offer remarkable chances not just for a lot of people with impairments to benefit from the use, however also for government bodies, schools, member of the family, support groups and associations, product and service companies to explore the application of these innovations, use them to boost the lives of a lot of people with impairments and assist in combination and addition. The Expo is a platform where we expect to see numerous business partnerships, collaborations and knowledge-sharing to occur, all of which will have long-term favorable impact on obtaining the UAE's vision to end up being world's friendliest location for the disabled.".

The Expo features never-seen-before innovations consisting of a Robotic Coffee Shop, driverless vehicle for the disabled, a device to manage faltering in about 3 hours, sign language to text converter, in addition to aids for leisure and sports for the disabled such as running prostheses for recreational athletes, leg prosthesis systems that virtually make replication of physiological human gait possible to pre-hospital medical equipment, folding electrical mobility scooters, specifically designed vehicles enabling driving straight from the wheelchair, high-definition silicone, orthotic, movement devices, power wheelchairs, ingenious options for sound sensory stimulation, voice synthesizers, Braille readers, and wireless monitoring gadgets and unique tools and software that enhances language and learning through a basic reading procedure.

Muwafaq Matari, Managing Partner, AMMT, which is displaying sensory products to develop motor skills for a lot of people with different types of disabilities and SpeechEasy gadget to control stuttering, said: "AccessAbilities Expo has actually brought all segments that can add to enhancing the lives of the handicapped together on a common platform, which we see is extremely advantageous for us. We not just look forward to possible company opportunities, however likewise feel that we will be able to better add to the community as out here we get to see the demands of schools, individuals, associations, government bodies, company and others, all on a single platform.".

Wendelin Lauxen, Managing Director, German LimbTech, which is displaying a variety of its orthotic and prosthetic devices, stated: "We see AccessAbilities as a strong platform where we can meet our target customers.".

The exposition includes a 'Knowledge Centre', which has an outstanding lineup of speakers including unique teachers, decision-makers from federal government bodies, senior agents from international associations for the handicapped from UK, Switzerland, Germany, India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE. Effective individuals with impairments will likewise provide motivational talks sharing their experiences during the Knowledge Centre.

An unique 'Activity Area' in the Expo provides a selection of sport and leisure programmes consisting of table tennis, archery, basketball, boccia, yoga, dance, martial arts, art, and simple cooking, with a view to supplying a wide range of alternatives and educate moms and dads and families on engaging their family member having impairment in exercises for ideal physical performance and overall well-being.

Leading centres for individuals with disabilities consisting of Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Dubai Autism Centre and Mawaheb from Beautiful People are among over 40 Event Partners in addition to regional and global business in technology, telecommunication, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, tourism, education, infrastructure and centers management sectors who are exhibiting their services and products at the Expo.

AccessAbilities has a strong assistance from Dubai Government departments, including Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, Community Development Authority (CDA) and Dubai Customs.