Moving around is still difficult for the disabled in UAE

Penalties system must be imposed on entities that do not provide accessible infrastructure for people with disabilities, said a senior official.
Majid Abdulla Al Usaimi, Executive Director of Dubai Club for the Disabled, said while the government has put in place the right laws and regulations that protect the rights of people with special needs, entities must work to implement these laws to help make Dubai a disabled-friendly city by 2020. 
He was speaking on the sidelines of the first Annual Conference for People with Disabilities organized by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). 
 "UAE has developed within the last 10 years in preserving the rights of the disabled and granting them a better life, what is missing is the implementation of the law," said Al Usaimi, who is wheelchair bound ever since he was diagnosed with polio at the age of 18 months. 
He added that accessibility of the disabled to majority of places around the country still remain "limited." 
"As a person on a wheelchair, I find it very difficult to enter the majority of restaurants, parks or movie theatres. I cannot move independently," said Al Usaimi. 
For this, Al Usaimi noted, entities that do not apply the accessible infrastructure for special needs should be penalized. 
And while the workplace has opened up for the physically challenged, Al Usaimi said regulations need to be implemented to prevent overworking or mistreating those with disability. 
Meanwhile, DEWA has vowed to continue providing its services for its employees and customers with disability. 
Currently having 16 employees with disabilities on board, Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of DEWA, said another employee will be hired this year, and more in the future. 
"We have modified the building infrastructure to suit our employees and customers with disabilities," said Al Tayer. 
He added that DEWA offers financial support for different centers for special needs across the country as part of its strategy. 
"Today, we have a law that protects the special needs and our leadership's regulations are clear. We are moving towards the right path to become among the world's most disabled-friendly city," he said. 
DEWA has had several initiatives to support its staff with disabilities, including the Absher initiative to support and care for its staff with disabilities and Omniyati initiative that accomplished the wishes of 10 of its staff members. 
DEWA also supports the Sanad smart cards to provide services and amenities for people with disabilities. These include valet-parking at all DEWA branches, providing wheelchairs, Maraheb services, and priority to be served.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com 

• Dubai