Drive on road directly from wheelchair

Wheelchair users can now drive on the road while sitting on the wheelchair, without any additional assistance.

Elbee, a special vehicle for wheelchair users, enables them to drive directly from the wheelchair-whether electrical or manual.  The unique vehicle will be displayed during AccessAbilities Expo 2016, being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, from February 9-11, 2016, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

The two-seat vehicle, with a foldable passenger seat, allows its user to travel at 80 kmph on highways, increasing the freedom of movement in daily life.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 1 per cent of the world's population needs a wheelchair. 

Ladislav Brazdil Jr., Sales & Marketing Manager, Elbee, said: “Elbee is a dream come true for many as, sadly, a large number of our wheelchair bound customers were used to never leaving their home. With Elbee they got their freedom of movement back and became much more independent. At AccessAbilities Expo, we would like to present Elbee in the Middle East for the first ever time to let people know that this unique product is there for them.”

Elbee can drive on all European roads as it has valid homologations for the entire European Union and is now available in Czech Republic and in France.

“We are in a process of evaluating requests of companies all around the world to distribute the vehicle. Our main goal is to make Elbee available to maximum number of wheelchair bound people around the world including the Middle East,” added Ladislav.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Expo, said: “The expo aims to contribute to the vision of  His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, who launched ‘My community... A City for Everyone’ initiative to turn Dubai into a fully disability-friendly city by 2020. The event will accomplish this by bringing together companies showcasing latest smart technologies, healthcare and other services and specialists from over 30 countries on a common platform.”

AccessAbilities Expo is being strongly supported by government bodies including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Municipality, Community Development Authority (CDA), General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, Department of Economic Development (DED) and Dubai Customs as the strategic partners alongwith top centres for those with special needs including Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, Dubai Autism Centre and Mawaheb for Beautiful People; in addition to local and international companies in technology, telecommunication, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, tourism, education, infrastructure and facilities management sectors.

AccessAbilities Expo 2016, which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre, is being organised by Reed Expo and Nadd AlShiba PR & Event Management.