The 7th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation (ICDR 2026) is held from 11 to 13 October 2026 at the King Faisal Conference Center, InterContinental Hotel, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The conference is convened by the King Salman Center for Disability Research under the gracious patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, granted by Royal Order No. 14207 dated 20/02/1447 AH.
ICDR is the Kingdom's longest-running scientific platform in this field. The first conference was convened in 1992 by the Children with Disability Association, followed by editions in 2000, 2009, 2014, 2018 and 2022 — more than three decades of work shaping disability research, policy and services in Saudi Arabia and the region. The seventh edition is delivered by a national alliance of fourteen entities, including the King Salman Center for Disability Research as the coordinating body, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, KACST, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, the Gulf Health Council, the Children with Disability Association, KSAU-HS, the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation and the Quality of Life Program of Saudi Vision 2030, alongside international partners.
The scientific programme spans three days across multiple halls and combines keynote dialogue sessions, scientific sessions, workshops, a research and poster track and an exhibition. The opening day features the conference's flagship panel, "The Unified National Profile — A Smart Interactive Platform Built on the National Registry for Persons with Disabilities", led by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Salman Center for Disability Research and Conference Chairman. Panelists include His Excellency the Minister of Education, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, the Minister of Health, the Chief Executive Officer of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, the President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority and the CEO of the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities. The session examines unifying disability data through the National Registry and the role of artificial intelligence in generating indicators that improve service design.
Forty-six speakers are listed across keynote, panel, dialogue and workshop formats, including international figures such as Dr. Robin Tim Weis, Executive Director of the Zero Project. Themes include rehabilitation medicine and services, assistive and smart technologies, genetics and early detection, inclusive education, employment and empowerment, community participation and quality of life, and evidence for national policy.
Registration is free of charge through the official conference platform, and a parallel AI hackathon runs alongside the conference. ICDR 2026 is relevant to rehabilitation physicians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, speech and language specialists, special educators, researchers, assistive technology developers, policymakers and disability organisations.
