The people driving innovation ... Dania Al-Adhami

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?

My path into accessibility was shaped by personal experience and professional exposure. I have always wanted to create engineering solutions that served humanity. My late grandfather used a wheelchair in his later years, and I saw firsthand how difficult everyday movement became due to poorly designed environments, not his disability. Moreover, growing up in Canada, where accessibility was a fundamental design requirement and non-compliant infrastructure was simply rejected, reinforced my belief that inclusion is a design choice. These experiences led me to pursue accessibility as a discipline where engineering directly supports dignity, independence, and equal participation.

2. How does working in the UAE influence your professional growth and your approach to your work?

 The country’s ambition, speed of development, and openness to innovation challenge me to think strategically and proactively. Accessibility here is no longer an afterthought; it is increasingly embedded in policy, regulation, and national vision. This environment pushes me to work at a higher level of accountability, collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, and deliver solutions that balance global best practices with local culture, climate, and user needs.

3. How do you feel your work contributes to shaping the UAE’s future?

 Accessibility directly supports the UAE’s vision of becoming one of the world’s most inclusive and liveable nations. By embedding inclusive design into cities, transport, cultural destinations, and public spaces, my work helps ensure that people of all ages and abilities can participate fully in society. Accessibility is not only about compliance; it is about long-term resilience, social sustainability, and economic inclusion. Contributing to that shift is something I take great pride in.

4. In your opinion, what makes the UAE a unique place for engineering and development?

 The UAE is unique in its ability to transform bold vision into reality at an exceptional pace and scale. Strong leadership, progressive regulation, and global expertise create an environment where engineers can shape cities from the ground up. Unlike many mature urban contexts, the UAE allows innovation, accessibility, and sustainability to be embedded from the earliest stages, often setting regional and international benchmarks.

5.What message would you share with the next generation of engineers and professionals building the UAE of tomorrow?

Design with people at the center of every decision. Technical excellence alone is not enough, true success lies in creating environments that are usable, safe, and welcoming for everyone. I encourage the next generation to embrace interdisciplinary thinking, understand the social impact of their work, and see accessibility and sustainability as drivers of quality, not constraints. The UAE’s future will be built by those who design with purpose, empathy, and long-term vision.