More job opportunities and adapted offices needed for disabled, campaigners say

Campaigners say workplaces in the Emirates need to be friendlier for people with disabilities and that jobseekers with special needs find it difficult to find offices that consider their needs.

DUBAI // Wheelchair users need more work opportunities and better adapted office spaces, disability campaigners said.

“More jobs need to be created for wheelchair users,” said Angel Marcini, a disability campaigner in Dubai who works with Wings of Angelz.

“Government organisations like Dewa are already supporting disabled members, but more needs to be done.”

Shobhika Kalra also feels there are a lack of jobs and support in the workplace for wheelchair users.

“It can be very difficult for a person in a wheelchair to find a job,” Ms Kalra said. “This might be because of the lack of facilities for wheelchair users.”

Dubai is embarking on a Dh10 million study that will steer it towards becoming one of the world’s most disabled-friendly cities. By the end of this year, four pilot projects to improve access will be chosen as models to be replicated across the city by 2020.

Consultants and government officials will choose the sites for access development after spending the next eight months identifying areas where access is a problem.

The study will produce uniform standards for ramp size and width, building entrances and toilets.

Disabled people will be able to send photographs of problem areas to the consultants through a hotline and smartphone application.

The project includes a five-year plan to ensure that buildings, pavements, road infrastructure, buses, trains and marine and air transport are suitable.