Pavements often not suitable for disabled people

A reader says pavements are not user-friendly. Other topics: C-sections, House of Fraser, fees and holidays

A reader says that many pavements are too difficult to negotiate. Jaime Puebla / The National

I was pleased to read about efforts being made to cater for people with disabilities (Dubai aiming to be one of world's most disabled-friendly cities by 2020, April 14).

That would be a fantastic achievement, but there would be less to do to reach this goal if the pavements around new towers were built properly.

Many of them are at ridiculous angles and have slopes that are unwalkable even for some able-bodied people.

Fiona Cooke, Dubai

Given the high rents that many people pay here, all buildings should be disabled friendly. Name withheld by request

Doctor hinted at a C-section

I was not surprised to read about the high rate of Caesarean births (UAE doctors and health insurers clash over necessity of costly C-sections, April 14).

My doctor told me she had to go on holiday and she indirectly suggested that I go for a Caesarean or birth induction.

I said no. I prefer my child to come naturally and I can choose another doctor if mine has other plans.

M Fatimah, Al Ain

This is shocking, but apparently it is quite common.

Wiltrud Matthes, Germany

Store closure not a surprise

I refer to House of Fraser closes Abu Dhabi outlet (April 14).

The World Trade Centre store had hardly anything in it and the prices were so inflated that I never bought anything there.

Also, the choice of brands was nowhere near the same as at a UK House of Fraser outlet. In fact, I barely recognised anything on offer.

Emma Boyle, Abu Dhabi

The clothes were almost double the price they are in the UK. Why would any British expat buy in Abu Dhabi when they could buy for less at home?

Leanne Collins, Abu Dhabi

I think there are too many malls as it is. The overheads must be astronomical for all these stores.

Nicole Reischl Hugher, Abu Dhabi

Young people are inspired

Your story, UAE space programme 'linked to happiness' (April 13), caught my attention.

We haven’t yet seen any would-be UAE astronauts undergo space training. However, we’ve seen a lot of visiting experts come to the UAE to inspire the young generation.

The UAE’s young people are already inspired, instinctively. All they need is the opportunity to fly to outer space.

Name withheld by request

Audiences must learn to behave

I share the concerns of your letter writer about possible audience conduct at Dubai's new opera house (Awful conduct of the audience, April14).

Let’s hope they will have a definite start time and no admission until after interval for people who arrive at the theatre too late.

Sylvia Moore, Dubai

I hope there are no loud telephone conversations during performances.

Deidre McCarthy, Dubai

Fees are starting to hurt expats

Regarding Abu Dhabi introduces 3% municipal fee on expat home rentals (April 13), rents are already growing at a minimum of 5 per cent every year.

Now it will be a minimum of 8 per cent. That’s kind of painful.

K Mikhaylova, Abu Dhabi

If they keep introducing fees and cutting down job allowances, it’s not going to work.

Emma Ewing, Abu Dhabi

Holiday should not be changed

As a Muslim, it greatly upsets me to see holidays for important Islamic occasions being shifted in order to provide people an extended break (Long weekend for UAE public sector for Al Israa wal Miraj holiday).

While the idea behind long weekends isn’t wrong in itself, to move the holiday invalidates the entire purpose of a religious holiday.

Muslims should pray on this occasion instead of being concerned about having three consecutive days off. Fatima Suhail, Sarjah