UAE Ministry of Family recruits People of Determination through AccessAbilities Expo

The UAE Ministry of Family has recruited several People of Determination following job interviews conducted at its pavilion during AccessAbilities Expo 2026 in Dubai, as it seeks to expand employment opportunities and support greater workforce inclusion.

The appointments were announced and employment contracts signed during the eighth edition of the expo, which concluded on 21 October at Dubai World Trade Centre. The ministry assessed candidates’ academic qualifications, professional experience and skills against the requirements of available positions.

The initiative aims to bridge vocational rehabilitation and employment, enabling People of Determination to achieve greater professional independence and participate in national development.

Held under the theme “Integrating Communities, Enabling Lives”, the ministry’s participation featured programmes focused on employment, vocational rehabilitation, skills development, public awareness and accessibility. It also showcased an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered pilot application designed to support the early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children.

Hessa Tahlak, assistant undersecretary for the Empowerment of People of Determination and Senior Citizens at the Ministry of Family, said the exhibition provided a platform to demonstrate the ministry’s initiatives and raise awareness of services supporting 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. Participation in AccessAbilities Expo 2026 also offered a platform to present practical examples of the Ministry’s initiatives and highlight the importance of coordinated efforts in developing programmes and services that respond to the needs of People of Determination and support their participation in all areas of life,” Tahlak said.

Vocational rehabilitation and inclusive recruitment

The ministry presented a range of initiatives designed to help People of Determination identify their strengths, develop practical skills and access suitable employment opportunities.

The “Virtual Elevator” experience demonstrated a pathway from skills identification and capability assessment to training, practical application and production, with the aim of fostering greater independence through tailored career development.

In cooperation with ImInclusive, the ministry also introduced a simulated recruitment exercise featuring a practical or virtual task, a short job interview and the preparation of a candidate profile summary. The exercise illustrated how employers can assess candidates’ competencies against job requirements while providing appropriate adjustments to support access to employment.

The exhibition also featured workshops led by students from rehabilitation centres, where participants created acrylic products and painted artwork designed by People of Determination. The activities highlighted the role of rehabilitation programmes in developing creativity, practical skills and productive capabilities.

Another initiative, the “Silent Challenge”, simulated communication barriers experienced by people with hearing impairments. Participants learned the sign language alphabet and explored ways to make everyday interactions more accessible.

AI pilot targets early autism screening

In collaboration with Emirates Health Services (EHS), the Ministry of Family showcased an AI-powered pilot application that is under study, development and testing. The tool is designed to support preliminary screening for potential indicators of ASD in children aged 18 to 24 months, with an initial assessment intended to take two to three minutes.

Specialists from Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital demonstrated the application and explained how its preliminary results could help identify children who may require further specialist assessment.

The ministry emphasised the importance of early detection and timely intervention, with children and their families directed towards services suited to their individual needs.

The initiatives reflect the ministry’s integrated approach to supporting People of Determination, combining early identification, skills development, vocational rehabilitation and inclusive recruitment to expand participation in the labour market and community life.