ABU DHABI // The measures taken by the UAE to help disabled people to get behind the wheel of their own vehicle are encouraging, an expert said.
"We hope that in the near future all facilities can be provided in a manner that will suit all individual needs," said Dr Ahmed Al Omran, an adviser at the Ministry of Social Affairs' department of welfare and rehabilitation.
“These will promote their independence and facilitate their freedom to move as enshrined in the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
The ministry has come up with a set of guidelines called Empowering Disabled People to Drive Cars.
These include training disabled people how to drive a vehicle, driving tests designed for disabled applicants and specifications on the modifications that can be made to cars driven by the disabled.
Adopting the guidelines in the 120-page document is voluntary, Dr Al Omran said.
“We hope these guidelines will be mandatory, not in the distant future, but in the near future.”
Federal Law No 29 of 2006, which was amended in 2009, grants general rights to and prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
“Article 63 of the federal traffic law also exempts disabled drivers from paying the registration fees,” he said. “We are trying to implement a formula to enforce this provision of the law.”
Abu Dhabi resident Abdulla Al Saad welcomed the Government’s commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities.
A 30-year-old Emirati senior public relations officer at the Department of Transport, Mr Al Saad injured his spinal cord in a crash in 2006. He was left a paraplegic and now drives a car fitted with a hand control that allows him to accelerate and brake, and a normal steering wheel.
“While we are given priority everywhere and do not face major obstacles, access to shops and buildings could be improved,” Mr Al Saad said. “In South Africa, its regulations ensure buildings and public spaces are designed with disabled people in mind.”
Dr Al Omran said: “The Ministry of Social Affairs is also trying to coordinate with the relevant government departments to come up with a unified standard to facilitate access to transportation in general.”
At the moment, the facilities provided for disabled people vary across the country.
“In Dubai, disabled people, except those with a hearing impairment, are eligible to park in public spaces designated for their use,” he said. “For the rest of the emirates, only those with physical disabilities can benefit from using such spaces.”
The new parking permits issued by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority also allow people with special needs to park free in the emirate. In Abu Dhabi, holders of special-needs permits are exempt from paying Mawaqif fees. They can park at designated handicapped parking bays and standard and premium paid parking spaces.
Sharjah allows free parking in handicapped spots only.
Abu Dhabi unveiled a taxi service for the disabled last June. Special-needs passengers get a 50 per cent discount on the standard fare. Travelling by bus is free for the disabled and those aged 60 or more.
Disabled UAE residents of all nationalities are able to travel free on Dubai's buses and on the Metro with blue No l cards, which must be renewed every six months.
rruiz@thenational.ae
