Detailing the number of people with special needs in the country and region, with data on how many of these are potential tourists, will be key to convincing the industry to invest in inclusive facilities.
Roberto Castiglioni, member of the Access to Air Travel Advisory Group, UK Civil Aviation Authority advocated universal designs, so travellers with special needs could remain independent throughout their journey.
“Studies and statistics tell us that passengers with special needs travel by air more than ever before, alongside the number of the 60+ segment, who are also a population with the highest disposable income,” he said.
“There is a huge potential here. Meeting the needs of these categories isn’t just about doing the right thing, it also makes strong business sense and is a great business opportunity for Expo 2020 and beyond.”
A report published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority this year about accessible air travel showed there are eight million people with disabling conditions in the UK, of which 1.5 million fly.
Read more: Dubai's wheelchair access has improved but there are ways to go, says campaigner
“We have to understand why people don’t fly. For instance, there is a huge problem with wheelchair damage. Wheelchairs are not just pieces of equipment, they are someone’s legs and should be treated in the same way. There is also a lack of awareness that services are available and free, with many people with disabling conditions thinking they have to pay for assistance.”
In the UAE, too, there have been frequent calls for data on the number of people with varying disabilities so organisations can work towards planning for specific needs.
Recruiting people with disabilities at the airport is also an enabler.
“Anxiety levels melt down if you employ a person with a disability as frontline staff. This human component can change the environment. It helps create a connection so even if the airport is not fully accessible, they can tell another person with a disability what to do,” Mr Castiglioni said.
Hideto Kijima, a wheelchair user and president of Japan Accessible Tourism Centre, listed Singapore and Amsterdam as cities with easy access.
Hilly paths, ski slopes and beaches have not deterred him during his travels. Ramps and platforms made it possible for him to negotiate hilly pathways to Kyoto temple, while adaptive ski chairs made the slopes in France and Japan accessible, as have adapted chairs in beach resorts.
Dubai Municipality in August launched beach and water wheelchairs in Mamzar beach but information about such services needs to be on accessible websites, experts said.
While Mr Kijima praised Dubai Metro, like other wheelchair users he pointed out that pavements were too high in Dubai.
“The metro, hotels and malls are good, but you must think of public transportation and access between destinations because, unlike local residents, tourists don’t have their own cars, so we must be able to get to places,” he said.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Apple product price list
iPad Pro
11" - $799 (64GB)
12.9" - $999 (64GB)
MacBook Air
$1,199
Mac Mini
$799
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Company%20profile
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THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Unresolved crisis
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now