The design of Awnak (a non-emergency transport service for the disabled ) vehicles combines design of a taxi and an ambulance. They are fitted with certain specifications to help the disabled. - Supplied photo
Dubai - Highlights its services, activities and requirements during meet.
Published: Tue 15 Mar 2016, 11:00 PM
Updated: Thu 17 Mar 2016, 7:19 AM
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has reviewed its services for the disabled during a visit paid by its affiliated Customers Council to the Dubai Club for the Disabled.
The move is part of the strategy pursued by the council to identify the service needs of various com-munity segments, especially the disabled. During the meeting, a video presentation was made highlighting the activities and organisational chart of the club.
It was followed by another visual presentation displaying the high standard services provided by RTA for the disabled in terms of design of buildings, facilities and services. These include deployment of transit means for the use of the disabled in 47 metro stations, 11 trams, 1,517 buses, 12 marine transit means, 11 taxicabs, and 10 vehicles in support of the Awnak (a non-emergency transport service for the disabled) service for the disabled and chronically sick individuals.
RTA privileges for the disabled:
> 84 front-desk 'specially' trained employees
> 12 employees specialised in sign language
> Exemption from registration and renewal fees of one vehicle
> 50% discount on driver licensing services
> Free parking permits for 1,826 parking slots > No parking fees
> No Salik toll for one vehicle and public transport
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The presentation screened communication means configured for the use of the disabled, enabling them to avail RTA's services such as booking taxis, and availing online services. It also reviewed RTA's efforts in training 84 front-end employees on how to deal with the disabled, 12 employees specialised in sign language, exemption from registration and renewal fees of one vehicle, 50% discount on driver licensing services, issuing free parking permits for 1,826 parking slots, exemption from parking fees and Salik toll for one vehicle and public transport as well.
The communication would ease and boost the 'My Community - A Place for All' initiative launched by the Dubai Government in 2013 with the aim of transforming Dubai as a fully inclusive, disability-friendly city by the year 2020, said Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Member of the Board of Executive Directors and Chairperson of the Customers' Council.
A number of suggestions were made followed by RTA voicing its intention to consider increasing the number of taxis designated for the use of the disabled. The authority will also add smart apps for all its services, and modify the design of taxicabs in a way that the disabled can board and disembark from the side rather than the back of the vehicle.
RTA aspires to...
Suggestions to be considered also included that all disabled parking at public and private entities as well as hotels, cooperative societies, malls, markets, and private areas to be subjected to the control, monitoring and planning of RTA and the Dubai Police. Attending the gathering from the RTA were Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla; Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Public Transport Agency; and Dr Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Dubai Taxi Corporation, in addition to directors and managers at several agencies and sectors of the RTA.
Attendees from the club were Ahmed Hasan Nasir, Board Member, Majid Al Osaimi, Executive Di-rector and several disabled persons and members of the club. - Wam
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