Saudi Arabia advances disability research with global medical, tech expertise

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, special advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, chairman of the King Salman Center for Disability Research, and president of the 7th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation, said the future of disability research is "remarkable," with significant opportunities worldwide. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia is now "at the heart of the world, not a marginal or isolated country."

Speaking to Ajel on the sidelines of the conference, which was held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and organized by the King Salman Center for Disability Research under the theme "Daring Towards the Future," Prince Sultan said: "Today, all of Saudi Arabia’s institutions, especially since the launch of Vision 2030, are engaged in the forefront of future medical work and modern technologies to address disability. We are all part of this path, and God willing, we will see positive outcomes in the future."

The three-day conference brought together leading scientists, researchers, and experts from around the world to discuss new horizons in disability and rehabilitation research, and the use of advanced technologies to develop solutions that enhance the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities. The scientific program focused on health, rehabilitation, psychological and educational topics, as well as genomic research, assistive technologies, artificial intelligence, and universal accessibility.

The event also honored the winners of the King Salman Global Award for Disability Research, which attracted 770 nominations from 111 countries. In addition, an artificial intelligence hackathon for people with disabilities saw participation from over 2,250 individuals across 918 teams from various nationalities, developing innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

The seventh edition of the conference concluded by emphasizing the importance of moving from keeping pace with scientific developments to actively contributing to them, through expanding research and innovation pathways and strengthening scientific partnerships, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to play a leading role in the future of disability research.