Purple to unite senior leaders for the first UAE Accessibility Excellence Roundtable

• The UAE Accessibility Excellence Roundtable will bring together business and government leaders to improve accessibility for People of Determination.
• Led by Purple Tuesday, the event will be hosted by Standard Chartered at DIFC on 27 January 2026.
• Key representatives from Standard Chartered, TPO, and Aldar will attend.

In today’s tech-driven world, accessibility should be a priority, not an afterthought. It is both a moral responsibility and a key to progress. In the UAE, public and private organisations are striving to create inclusive environments that benefit everyone.

The global Purple Tuesday movement has long challenged organisations to think differently about accessibility. It encourages businesses to view it not as a compliance exercise but as a way to drive inclusion, spark innovation, and support commercial growth. This message is coming to life in the country with the inaugural local initiative, the ‘UAE Accessibility Excellence Roundtable’. The event is convened and facilitated by Purple, under the patronage of Seed Group, a company of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum.

Barriers to full, equitable access in all fields: The gap

Greater awareness of accessibility in the UAE has led to tangible progress, from inclusive education policies to greater workplace integration for People of Determination (POD). Yet challenges remain in achieving full, equitable access across all sectors.

In education, UAE universities are shifting from reactive to proactive models of inclusion. However, students still encounter barriers such as English-language proficiency requirements and limited assistive support. To better serve students of determination, many institutions are investing in staff training, inclusive curricula, and accessible digital platforms equipped with sign language interpretation and assistive technologies.

In the workplace, the UAE continues to strengthen inclusion through Federal Law No. 29 and its ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). While stereotypes and hiring biases persist in some areas, both government and private entities are working to create equal employment opportunities and inclusive work environments.

Building on the country’s progressive policies and growing examples of progress, accessibility efforts across education, employment, and the built environment are entering a new phase of maturity. As initiatives grow, effective coordination and shared accountability will be crucial for making a greater impact. This next stage emphasises the value of senior leadership alignment and a structured approach to translate commitment into ongoing action.

UAE Accessibility Excellence Roundtable 2026: The solution

In the context of strong foundations and increasing momentum, the ‘UAE Accessibility Excellence Roundtable’ is a significant step forward. Aligned with the global Purple Tuesday movement, the forum is designed to move beyond awareness and into action. It is scheduled for Tuesday, 27 January 2026, at Standard Chartered Bank, DIFC.

This event marks the first senior cross-sector accessibility gathering of its kind locally. It aims to establish a trusted leadership space to identify gaps, highlight lived experiences, and align on opportunities to enhance accessibility for PODs who live, work, or visit the UAE.

Roundtable agenda

The upcoming session will feature Jessica Smith, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Purple, alongside Standard Chartered representatives Shada Al Borno, Head of Global Subsidiaries (UAE, ME & Pakistan), and Sara Morsi, Global Co-lead Ability Colleague Community.

The following guest speakers will also bring diverse and essential perspectives:

• Omid Ainechi – explaining the strategic partnership with The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum 
• Fatma Al Jassim – an Emirati Person of Determination, sharing lived experience to ground the discussion in real-world impact
• Sara Al Satrawi – Aldar, Partnership with Purple – POD Customer Journey

A facilitated gaps analysis will allow for open discussion around challenges, inconsistencies, and examples of progress across sectors. Insights from the session will help to shape the UAE Accessibility Leaders Forum, a dedicated leadership group tasked with driving accessibility outcomes nationally and contributing to global best practice. The roundtable will conclude with a Three Commitments Framework, designed to ensure accountability and consistent engagement even after the event.

Advancing the Purple mission in the UAE

Empowering People of Determination is a national priority in the UAE, and Purple continues to support this vision by helping organisations embed accessibility into business strategy and operations. National initiatives, including campaigns such as the ‘7 Over 7’ campaign, further emphasise that accessibility and POD inclusion are integral to social cohesion and economic growth.

Notably, Purple Tuesday 2025, held in November and themed ‘Think Accessibility’, saw more than 8,500 organisations across 13 countries participate worldwide. It encouraged businesses to recognise accessibility as both a moral responsibility and a powerful driver of growth. The global spending power of people with disabilities and their families — often referred to as the ‘Purple Pound’, or ‘Purple Dirham’ in the UAE — is estimated at approximately $18 trillion (AED 66 trillion).

Locally, the UAE Accessibility Excellence Roundtable represents a senior leadership commitment aligned with Purple’s advocacy efforts. As Purple expands its work across the GCC, including Oman and Saudi Arabia, it reinforces the idea that accessibility is not only good ethics but also smart economics.

About Purple 

Purple is at the forefront of redefining accessibility and inclusion, with a strong focus on empowering people of determination. Through landmark initiatives like Purple Tuesday, we are reshaping business practices to create environments where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate fully. With tailored strategies for the MENA market, Purple is driving systemic change, ensuring that inclusivity is embedded in the cultural and economic fabric of the region. Our work challenges norms, paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all. For more information, visit www.purpletuesday.co.

Purple Group Media Contact

Jessica Smith
jsmith@thepurplegrp.com

Charlene Overend
+44 07538934732
coverend@purpletuesday.co