DUBAI// More needs to be done to deter people from using disabled-only parking spaces, senior transport officials were told on Sunday.
Representatives from schools and organisations for disabled children, as well as parents, urged the Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA) to tackle the issue.
During a question-and-answer session at the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre in Al Barsha, RTA officials urged the public to contact them if they see people using disabled spaces without a permit.
“I live in the Springs and whenever we go to the supermarket there is always someone parked in a disabled spot,” said the parent of a child with disabilities.
The RTA told her they were taking the matter seriously.
“You can take a photo of the vehicle parking there and contact the police or the RTA’s support centre,” said Mohammed Al Mulla, head of the RTA’s customer council.
The RTA also plans to work with Dubai Police and the owners of the facilities that provide disabled parking to look at ways of tackling the issue.
Another parent asked why it was not possible to have one disabled parking permit that was valid in other emirates.
Mr Al Mulla said it was a suggestion that they would look into but would require coordination with all other emirates, In principle, however, he welcomed the idea.
Maria Quirke, director of occupational therapy and vocational programme services at Stepping Stones, an organisation that works with children with learning disabilities, offered the centre’s services to train RTA drivers who transport the disabled.
“We try to get the children to be as independent as possible and to use the Metro and taxi on their own, if they can,” she said. “Unfortunately we have one girl who is unable to go on her own and we would be more than happy to give training to RTA staff so that they are able to meet her and other similar children’s needs.”
Mr Al Mulla said the authority conducted a number of training sessions for staff but welcomed the centre’s offer of help.
During a brief RTA presentation, attendees were informed that a range of services had been set up to improve accessibility.
These include special smart taxis that have ramps, lifts at Dubai Metro stations, and water taxis fitted with special facilities.
The RTA’s call centre will ensure a disabled-friendly taxi if customers make the request.
On another matter, the RTA said it was looking into the potential of running the Metro on Friday mornings. Currently service begins at 2pm because maintenance crews use the morning to check the lines and trains.
“I can’t say it will definitely happen but there is a possibility that we could start the Metro service a couple of hours earlier on Fridays at some stage in the future,” an RTA official said.
nhanif@thenational.ae
