SHARJAH 13 September 2018: Top officials and heads of various government entities have welcomed steps being taken by the United Nations to recognise Sharjah as the “Accessible City for the Physically Disabled,” hailing it as yet another feather in the Emirate’s cap and a proud milestone in its journey of inclusive progress and empowerment.
The emirate is to be formally declared the ‘Accessible City for the Physically Disabled’ during the World Cities Day at the United Nations in New York on October 31, 2018 by the World Federation of the Disabled.
Sharjah’s recognition as ‘Accessible City for Physically Disabled’ will make People of Determination more confident about engaging in everyday life and carrying out their day-to-day activities with ease, including going to work, shopping and entertainment venues and places of worship and using public transportation, as well as joining various educational institutions and sports centres and clubs.
Thabit Salem Al Tarifi, Director General of Sharjah Municipality said that the municipality has equipped parks in the city with all necessary infrastructure and facilities to suit the special needs of this section of society so they can enjoy themselves like everyone else.
The Sharjah Municipality has specially focused on the entrance and exit points of parks in accordance with highest global standards, facilitating their smooth and easy movement particularly near the main gates. The Municipality has also provided wheelchairs in all municipal buildings and parks besides offering the facility of golf cars in the main building of the municipality for this section of society.
Free Entry
Al Tarifi pointed out that the Municipality allowed the families of physically disabled people to visit parks without the need of an entry ticket as a humanitarian gesture. It also ensured the involvement of all stakeholders in all activities and events hosted by the municipality in parks and equipping them with skills that help them to contribute to society.
He revealed that the Municipality has allocated the proceeds of the public parking fees surrounding the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services to the organisation to serve its higher goals.
Key Institutions
For over 38 years, the physically disabled have been the focus of attention in Sharjah. Following the establishment of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), one of the Arab world’s key institutions handling educational, social and environmental issues of the disabled, several similar institutions have been launched. These include Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped, Parents of Disabled Association, Emirates Association of the Visually Impaired and Al Thiqah Projects for Employment & Rehabilitation.
Since the launch of the World Federation of the Disabled Regional Office in Sharjah, headed by Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadem, Chairman of Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped, the Office has conducted field visits to all government entities and private institutions to inform them of engineering standards designed for the physically challenged and have them adopt these standards in future projects or incorporate them into existing ones.