Public space set aside for people with disabilities in Sharjah

The land includes public parks, gardens and green belts, and work will include playgrounds.

SHARJAH // More than 200,000 square metres of public space has been set aside in Sharjah to build facilities for people with disabilities.

The land includes public parks, gardens and green belts and will be used to build specialised areas including playgrounds for children, said Abdul Aziz Al Mansouri, the assistant director general for engineering and projects at Sharjah Municipality.

“The municipality will be helpful in providing permits for constructions or making additions for people with disabilities like building ramps, specialised toilets, designated parking or games for disabled children,” he said.

“This is in observance of the Sharjah Ruler’s decree No 5 issued in 2001 to build facilities that would make life easier for people with disabilities.”

He said there are 42 public parks in the emirate, each has two female social supervisors on duty whose job it is to ensure visitors, especially people with disabilities, are able to fully enjoy the facilities without problems.

The announcement has been welcomed by Abdul Kareem, who lives in the emirate with his nine-year-old son who has difficulties walking. Mr Kareem said his son had been prevented from playing with other children because of his disabilities.

“We shall be very happy if parks start setting up games suitable for children with disabilities,” he said.