AccessAbilities Expo to host ‘people of determination’

DUBAI / WAM

AccessAbilities Expo 2017, the region’s largest dedicated event for the disabilities sector scheduled to be held in November, will host a conference for the ‘people of determination’ titled ‘Inclusion in the Workplace’.
This conference will be held in line with the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to integrate and build a better future for the people of
determination.
Worldwide, people with disabilities face greater challenges in securing jobs and employment rates for people with disabilities are far lower compared to people without disabilities. According to a United Nations report, 80 per cent to
90 per cent of people with disabilities of working age in develo-
ping countries are unemployed, said a statement form organisers of the event.
The AccessAbilities Expo is being held from November 7 to 9 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).
The ‘Inclusion in the Workplace’ conference will have international experts on disability discuss present employment scenario for people with determination, the challenges and key issues relating to inclusive work environments, government policies and regulations on employment for people with determination, use of technology to make the workp-
lace more accessible and other ways to create a disability friendly workplace and environment.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, the expo will bring the world’s latest robotic and assistive technology prod-
ucts from across the world, that can lead people with determ-
ination toward better and
independent lives.
AccessAbilities Expo is organised by Nadd AlShiba PR and Event Management and Reed
Exhibitions.
Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibitions director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said, “AccessAbilities Expo has been designed to play a very constructive role in developing greater opportunities for people with disabilities. Our aim is to provide an essential platform to showcase the most advanced products and services from around the world for people with disabilities, while also creating a positive impact on the wider community of employers, educators, government officials and industry at large. By hosting this important conference, we hope to make
our society and community more inclusive.”
The ‘Inclusion in the Workplace’ conference expects over 200 attendees with heads of HR already confirmed to attend from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and other Middle East countries. Amongst other topics, the conference will discuss UAE laws on hiring people with disabilities and hiring policies, inclusion as a part of corporate strategy, harnessing the latest smart technology to facilitate inclusion in the workplace and ways to create competitive advantage for organisations employing
people with disabilities.
AccessAbilities Expo 2017 is expected to attract 30 per cent more companies this year, including a higher international participation. The inaugural expo in 2016 was remarkably successful with more than 6,000 people, including individuals with disabilities, their families, educationists, experts from different sectors such as healthcare, technology and infrastructure, and decision-makers, attending the exhibition and exhibitors from 41 countries showcasing the latest products and services at the event.