The UAE Ministry of Family has hired several People of Determination following job interviews at AccessAbilities Expo 2026 in Dubai. The initiative aims to expand employment opportunities and support greater workforce inclusion.
The ministry assessed candidates’ qualifications, professional experience and skills against available job requirements. It also signed employment contracts during the eighth edition of the expo, which concluded on 21 October at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The recruitment drive aims to connect vocational rehabilitation with paid employment. It also seeks to help People of Determination build professional independence and participate in the UAE’s economic and social development.
UAE ministry promotes inclusive recruitment and skills development
The Ministry of Family showcased several initiatives at the expo under the theme “Integrating Communities, Enabling Lives”. These programmes focused on employment, vocational rehabilitation, practical skills and public awareness.
Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary for the Empowerment of People of Determination and Senior Citizens at the Ministry of Family, said the event helped the ministry connect with visitors and demonstrate the capabilities of People of Determination.
“The strong engagement at the Ministry’s pavilion provided an opportunity to connect directly with visitors and showcase the skills, creative talents, and productive capabilities of People of Determination,” Tahlak said.
She also highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to develop services that support participation across different areas of life.
Vocational rehabilitation links skills with employment
One of the ministry’s featured initiatives, the “Virtual Elevator”, demonstrated a pathway from skills assessment to training and practical work.
The programme aims to help participants identify their strengths and develop skills suited to their abilities. It also highlights how tailored career development can support greater independence.
In addition, the ministry worked with ImInclusive to demonstrate an accessible recruitment process. The exercise included a practical or virtual task, a short job interview and a candidate profile summary.
The format showed how employers can assess candidates against job requirements while making suitable adjustments. Such approaches can help organisations focus on candidates’ skills and provide a more accessible recruitment experience.
The pavilion also featured workshops led by students from rehabilitation centres. Participants created acrylic products and painted artwork designed by People of Determination.
These activities demonstrated how rehabilitation programmes can develop creativity, practical skills and productive capabilities.
Expo highlights accessibility and communication barriers
The ministry also presented the “Silent Challenge”, an activity designed to raise awareness of communication barriers faced by people with hearing impairments.
Participants learned the sign language alphabet and explored ways to make everyday interactions more accessible.
The initiative formed part of the ministry’s wider effort to improve public understanding of accessibility. It also highlighted the role of practical activities in encouraging more inclusive communication.
UAE ministry showcases AI pilot for early autism screening
Alongside its employment initiatives, the Ministry of Family presented an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered pilot application developed in collaboration with Emirates Health Services (EHS).
The application is under study, development and testing. It aims to support preliminary screening for possible indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children aged 18 to 24 months.
The initial assessment is designed to take two to three minutes. Specialists from Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital demonstrated the tool and explained how its results could help identify children who may need further assessment.
However, the application is a screening tool, not a confirmed diagnostic method. Children identified as potentially needing support would require further assessment by specialists.
The ministry emphasised the importance of early identification and timely intervention. It also highlighted the need to connect children and their families with services suited to their individual needs.
Inclusive employment remains a focus for the UAE
The ministry’s participation at AccessAbilities Expo brought together employment, skills development, rehabilitation and accessibility initiatives.
For employers, inclusive recruitment can help widen access to talent by assessing candidates against job requirements and providing appropriate adjustments. Meanwhile, vocational training can help candidates develop practical skills before entering the workforce.
The ministry’s recruitment initiative offers a direct example of how employment support can move beyond awareness campaigns towards actual hiring. The longer-term impact will depend on how effectively these efforts translate into sustained employment and career development for People of Determination.
