SINGAPORE: Rehacare International 2026 is getting ready to open its doors in Düsseldorf from 23 to 26 September, where it aims to link innovation, provision practice and politics with the community and highlight what is needed for independence in daily life in concrete terms.
With just under 1,000 exhibitors from 43 countries showcasing products, technologies and care solutions for independent living, Rehacare is expected to bring together people with disabilities and chronic conditions, relatives, enterprises, associations, science and politics – serving as an international business platform, meeting point of the community and arena for political dialogue.
The event comes just as the provision of assistive devices is subject to intense political debate. While the debate is often dominated by costs, procedures and responsibilities, the trade fair is expected to shine a light on the humans impacted by this debate: on their daily lives, their experiences and on solutions that enable independent living, inclusion and security of supply.
Hannes Niemann, Director of Rehacare International, commented: “The debate about the provision of assistive devices must not be framed solely in terms of costs alone.
“What matters most is what this provision makes possible in daily life: mobility, inclusion, employment, family and an independent life.
“Precisely this perspective is what Rehacare brings to the dialogue among the community, business, care providers and policymakers.”
Ranging from mobility and digital assistance systems to nursing care, rehabilitation and orthopaedic technology to accessible living, Rehacare will present the whole spectrum of modern solutions for more independence and inclusion.
In 2026 Rehacare will move networking, hands-on product testing and knowledge transfer even more centrestage in its themed worlds – staging the Exo Park, the focal theme ‘Self-Determined Continence’ as well as the themed area ‘Persons with Impairments in the Workplace’, to name but three.
In parallel with the exhibition the trade fair will also expand its programme of forums and events. Lectures and masterclasses provided will combine product innovations, expert knowledge, social policy debate and personal experiences – providing practical insights, particularly for medical device retailers.
The future of the provision of medical aids for independent living will be discussed and will explore how the high demand for these will be future-proofed.
On 23 September at 10am Rehacare will for the first time present the results of the Rehacare Report 2026 “Self-determined Living – Status quo and the Future of the Provision of Medical Aids in Germany”.
More than 1,500 people with disabilities, chronic conditions as well as their relatives were polled. Under the guiding question “Support-Based System or Savings-Based System?” the results are put into context by journalists and then discussed with representatives of the community, public, care providers and stakeholder representatives.
As part of guided tours of the trade fair amongst others Karl-Josef Laumann, Minister for Labour, Health and Social Affairs in North Rhine-Westphalia, and Jürgen Dusel, Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities, will gather information on current innovations, new care solutions and challenges that affect both people with disabilities and the industry alike. Centre stage is the question of how innovations can reach everyday care and strengthen inclusion faster.
People with disabilities, activists, para-athletes, speakers and content creators actively contribute their experiences and views to Rehacare – amongst others at the Community Hub X Carstens, where Tan Caglar will be present. Further contributions will be provided by Nika Sky, Sabrina Lorenz with the so-called “warrior hearts” as well as Raúl Krauthausen.
Another highlight is the Community Day on Saturday, presented by Moritz Brückner. Here personal experiences, social questions and direct networking will be in focus.
At the ‘Sport-Center’ inclusion can be experienced hands-on: together with the North Rhine-Westphalia Association for Sport for People with Disabilities and Rehabilitation (Behinderten- und Rehabilitationssportverband Nordrhein-Westfalen – BRSNW) Rehacare invites attendees to try out inclusive sports offerings.
This programme is complemented by the exhibition match of the Fortuna Düsseldorf Disability Sports Team as well as expert lectures revolving around exercise, health, rehabilitation and inclusive sports.