From signed employment contracts to AI screening, Dubai showcases practical ways to support independence and access.
- Creative workshops showcase the artistic talents of People of Determination.
- The Ministry of Family recruited candidates during AccessAbilities Expo 2026.
- An AI pilot screens for potential autism indicators in minutes.
- Virtual recruitment activities help connect individual skills with suitable roles.
A job offer means more than a new title on a CV. It can bring financial independence, confidence and the chance to contribute skills in a workplace that values them. At Dubai World Trade Centre, inclusive employment UAE took a practical step forward at AccessAbilities Expo 2026, where the Ministry of Family interviewed candidates and signed employment contracts with several successful applicants. This time, the opportunity moved beyond discussion.
For jobseekers, the route from training to employment can involve several stages, from identifying strengths to demonstrating skills in an interview. At its expo pavilion, the Ministry of Family showed how those stages can connect through its “Virtual Elevator” experience, which moves from capability assessment to training, practical application and production. Every step matters.
A separate simulated recruitment activity, developed with ImInclusive, gave participants a taste of the hiring process through a practical or virtual task, a short interview and a candidate profile summary. It also highlighted how suitable adjustments can help employers assess abilities against the actual requirements of a role.
These initiatives sit within a wider UAE focus on workplace inclusion, where accessible recruitment and appropriate support are important parts of helping People of Determination enter and remain in employment. The Ministry’s interviews and signed contracts gave that principle a tangible outcome at the expo.
For parents with questions about a young child’s development, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. At the expo, the Ministry and Emirates Health Services demonstrated an AI-powered pilot application intended to screen for potential indicators of autism spectrum disorder in children aged 18 to 24 months. Its preliminary assessment is designed to take two to three minutes. It is not a diagnosis, and the tool remains under study, development and testing.
Everyday communication was another focus. Through the “Silent Challenge”, visitors experienced simulated communication barriers faced by people with hearing impairments and learned the sign language alphabet and its practical use. A short activity can prompt a fresh perspective. The experience encouraged visitors to consider how small changes in communication can make daily interactions more accessible.
Creativity also had a place at the pavilion. Students from rehabilitation centres guided visitors in making acrylic keepsakes and painting artworks featuring designs created by People of Determination. Families and other visitors could take part while seeing students demonstrate their artistic and practical skills. Talent was on display.
The Ministry’s participation in AccessAbilities Expo 2026 brought employment, vocational rehabilitation, early screening and public awareness into one setting. For employers, families and jobseekers, the message is practical: inclusion works best when support connects with real opportunities. Explore the Ministry’s programmes and consider how accessible practices can be applied in workplaces and everyday community life.
