Middle East

AMMAN: Most archaeological sites in Jordan are inaccessible for people with disabilities and facilitating the access to those locations is a “persistent demand” from their part, activists said. Hala Abu Mahfouz, a student with physical disability, said that she is an independent person who has the right to enter archaeological and tourist places without asking others… Continue Reading »

CAIRO: In a long-awaited achievement, Egypt now has its first magazine in Arabic Braille, offering people with vision disabilities an opportunity to work in journalism. Akhbar Braille is published by Akhbar El-Youm, a semi-official daily newspaper in Arabic, and has columns on culture, art, sports, technology and politics. The Braille reading and writing system represents… Continue Reading »

Some 150 trainees have joined the para-Taekwondo self-defence course organised by the People of Determination Council at Dubai Police. The course is part of the council’s summer programme activities and in organised in collaboration with the Dubai Club for People of Determination. Trainees of a variety of ages participated in the course along with the… Continue Reading »

DOHA: The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs yesterday inaugurated a database for older people and persons with disabilities aimed at providing all their services and needs and benefit from their efforts and experiences in implementing the comprehensive development process in Qatar in all fields. On this occasion, HE the Minister of Administrative… Continue Reading »

DUBAI: Disability rights campaigners have backed plans to improve access to private health centres in Dubai within six months. While most hospitals have adequate provisions for patients with disabilities when it comes to entry ramps, accessing bathrooms can be a problem, according to Shobhika Kalra, of public campaign group Wings of Angelz. She founded the… Continue Reading »

DUBAI: The dream of a city with access for all has moved closer to reality with public hospitals the latest buildings to be given an ultimatum to improve their disabled access under the Dubai Disability Strategy 2020 (DDS). All private healthcare facilities in the emirate have been given six months to alter their facilities to… Continue Reading »

The Dubai Municipality and UN-Habitat invite submissions to the 2017 Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment. The Dubai International Award is recognizing the best efforts in improving the lives of urban residents around the globe. There are initiatives that inspire through their vision, their innovation or their impact – yours… Continue Reading »

TEHRAN: An online database of historical and cultural places that have disability access will be launched in two weeks, according to the head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization. “The database will provide detailed information on accessibility of sites of attraction across Iran for people with physical disabilities,” ISNA quoted Zahra Ahmadipour as… Continue Reading »

KUWAIT: Smart electronic devices and applications could be a curse for children, but they are a blessing for peers with disabilities. Numerous studies have shed lights on the grave impacts of electronic devices, smart phones and tablets, on children’s health and behavior, but for children with disabilities, they have proved to be instrumental in helping… Continue Reading »