- Innovative projects, accessible public facilities and smart services support the independence, inclusion and quality of life of People of Determination.
- Accessible beach facilities, sensory rooms and smart navigation solutions enhance mobility, comfort and access to public spaces and services.
- Graduation of the first and second cohorts of the Inclusion Coordinators Programme supports the development of more inclusive workplaces.
- ‘Access Ambassadors’ initiative promotes community participation and awareness of universal accessibility requirements under the Dubai Building Code.
- Cooperation agreement with the Emirates Down Syndrome Association will strengthen collaboration on accessibility, inclusive services and community initiatives.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 19 October 2026: Dubai Municipality is showcasing a comprehensive portfolio of projects, initiatives and smart solutions designed to advance universal accessibility, empower People of Determination and enhance their quality of life during its participation in the eighth edition of AccessAbilities Expo, taking place from 19 to 21 October 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The Municipality's participation highlights its continued efforts to integrate accessibility into the planning, development and operation of public facilities, urban spaces and municipal services. The initiatives span accessible beaches and recreational destinations, assistive technologies, workplace inclusion and community engagement, reflecting an integrated approach to enabling People of Determination to participate more independently and fully in everyday life.
These efforts contribute to Dubai's commitment to providing inclusive urban experiences for residents and visitors, strengthening its position as a city friendly to People of Determination and supporting equal access to public facilities, services and opportunities.
Inclusive public facilities and experiences
At the exhibition, Dubai Municipality is highlighting its continued development of accessible public facilities and recreational spaces, with a particular focus on enhancing beach accessibility and enabling People of Determination to enjoy outdoor activities safely and independently.
The Municipality's accessible beach infrastructure includes sea swimming platforms at Jumeirah Beach 2 and Khor Al Mamzar, alongside 10 accessible entrances and pathways providing access to the sea, dedicated parking spaces for People of Determination across all beaches, 16 accessible restrooms, floating wheelchairs for swimming and specialised beach wheelchairs.
These facilities support greater independence and accessibility, enabling People of Determination to participate in beach activities and enjoy Dubai's coastal destinations.
The Municipality is also showcasing its sensory rooms across Dubai's parks and beaches, including a dedicated facility at Jumeirah Beach 2. Designed to accommodate different sensory needs, these spaces provide supportive environments that enhance comfort, wellbeing and the overall visitor experience.
The accessibility enhancements at Jumeirah Beach 2 have contributed to the destination receiving the Gold Classification from the World Disability Union (WDU), recognising its provision of inclusive facilities for People of Determination.
Smart accessibility solutions
Dubai Municipality is also showcasing NaviLens, a smart navigation solution that uses digitally encoded coloured markers to help people who are blind or visually impaired navigate public spaces and access information independently.
The markers can be detected through smartphone cameras, providing users with immediate audio and text-based guidance. The system supports more than 35 languages, helping make information and navigation services accessible to a wider range of users.
Dubai Municipality is the first government entity to introduce this type of system, reflecting its efforts to adopt assistive technologies that address different accessibility needs and improve the experience of using public facilities.
Advancing workplace inclusion
As part of its participation, Dubai Municipality is marking the graduation of the first and second cohorts of its Inclusion Coordinators Programme, which equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to support the inclusion of People of Determination in the workplace.
The programme strengthens institutional capabilities in inclusive workplace practices, promotes greater awareness of accessibility requirements and supports an organisational environment in which People of Determination can participate effectively and develop their professional capabilities.
The initiative forms part of the Municipality's wider efforts to embed accessibility and inclusion across its organisational practices, complementing the development of inclusive public facilities and services.
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: "Universal accessibility is a fundamental consideration in how we plan, develop and manage Dubai's public facilities. Our responsibility extends beyond providing accessible infrastructure to ensuring that public spaces and services respond to the different needs of the people who use them. This requires an integrated approach that brings together inclusive design, assistive technologies and the continuous improvement of facilities and services.
"At Dubai Municipality, we are advancing this approach across beaches, parks, buildings and recreational destinations, with a focus on enabling People of Determination to navigate public spaces independently, participate in community activities and enjoy the city's facilities with greater comfort, dignity and confidence. These efforts are central to our commitment to enhancing quality of life and making Dubai's public destinations accessible to everyone."
He added: "AccessAbilities Expo provides an important opportunity to exchange expertise, engage with People of Determination and strengthen collaboration with organisations working to advance universal accessibility. We recognise that developing an inclusive urban environment requires ongoing engagement, practical solutions and a clear understanding of users' experiences. Through these partnerships and initiatives, we aim to continue raising accessibility standards across Dubai's public facilities and contribute to the Emirate's position as a city friendly to People of Determination."
Strengthening community participation
Dubai Municipality is highlighting its ‘Access Ambassadors’ initiative, which encourages community members to contribute to improving accessibility across buildings and public facilities.
The initiative raises awareness of universal accessibility requirements under the Dubai Building Code and guides People of Determination and building owners towards the Municipality's ‘Wusool’ service. It also provides opportunities for community members to propose ideas and practical solutions that address accessibility challenges and support more inclusive urban environments.
The Municipality is further showcasing emergency evacuation and safety systems designed to accommodate the needs of People of Determination. These systems support safer evacuation procedures in buildings and public facilities, reflecting the importance of incorporating accessibility into emergency preparedness and public safety planning.
Expanding strategic collaboration
On the sidelines of AccessAbilities Expo 2026, Dubai Municipality will sign a cooperation agreement with the Emirates Down Syndrome Association to strengthen collaboration on universal accessibility and the inclusion of People of Determination.
The agreement will support efforts to enhance accessibility and inclusive design across the Municipality's facilities, services, programmes and communication channels. It will also provide a framework for developing joint sports, recreational, cultural and community initiatives that support People of Determination and their families.
A key area of cooperation will involve drawing on the Association's specialised expertise and the experiences of People of Determination to evaluate accessibility solutions, test services and identify opportunities for improvement. This will help ensure that the development of facilities and services continues to respond to the practical needs of users.
Dubai Municipality's achievements in universal accessibility also include the Guinness World Record it received in 2023 for the world's longest Braille handrail at Dubai Frame, measuring 319 metres and 11 centimetres.
The Municipality is demonstrating its accessibility standards through its own exhibition stand at AccessAbilities Expo 2026, which incorporates wide tactile pathways and accessible facilities designed to accommodate People of Determination.
The stand has received a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of its inclusive design, providing a practical example of how accessibility requirements can be incorporated into temporary exhibition environments.
Through its participation, Dubai Municipality reaffirms its commitment to advancing universal accessibility across Dubai's public facilities and services, working with government entities, specialised organisations and the wider community to create inclusive environments that support independence, equal opportunities and quality of life for People of Determination.