Riyadh:The Seventh International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation was inaugurated by Riyadh Region Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The event, organized by the King Salman Center for Disability Research, is taking place from October 11 to 13, 2026, at the InterContinental Riyadh Hotel.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Prince Faisal was greeted upon his arrival by Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Salman Center for Disability Research. Several senior officials and members of the conference's Supreme Supervisory Committee were also present.
In a press statement, Prince Faisal emphasized the leadership's commitment to supporting initiatives that provide practical benefits to persons with disabilities. He praised the conference's comprehensive scientific program, which includes lectures, discussion sessions, and workshops, and acknowledged the international engagement with the King Salman International Award for Disability Research.
The opening ceremony featured the Royal Anthem and a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a speech by Prince Sultan bin Salman, who expressed gratitude to King Salman for his ongoing support of disability-related issues and scientific research.
Spanning three days, the conference covers a wide range of topics such as health, medical, rehabilitation, psychological, educational, and social issues. It also focuses on genomic research, developmental disorders, assistive technologies, artificial intelligence, and universal accessibility, with participation from researchers and experts worldwide.
An artificial intelligence hackathon accompanies the event, aimed at creating technological solutions for persons with disabilities. The hackathon saw 159 teams advancing to the acceleration phase, which lasted seven weeks under expert supervision, and are now preparing to present their projects to judging panels.
