Dubai: Officials have identified “gaps” in accessibility issues for people with disabilities as part of a new study of urban structures in Dubai.

The gaps point to the differences in standards and specifications when designing and building an accessible environment for people with disabilities.

The Accessible Environment for Persons with Disability Project also found a significant shortage of technical personnel specialised in this area, and an inaccurate implementation of stipulations set forth in legislations.

The points were noted by Yousuf Al Reda, head of the joint team overseeing the Transformation of Dubai into a Disability-friendly City Project.

Al Reda is also CEO of the Road and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector.

The team overseeing the Accessible Environment for Persons with Disability Project has successfully completed phase one of the project.

The study is undertaken in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai Government, Community Development Authority, RTA, Dubai Municipality, public and federal entities, key real estate developers in the emirate, as well as scores of people with disabilities and other concerned parties.

Al Reda said: “As a first step, some gaps have been identified before starting the upcoming phases of the project… Two workshops have been held of late as part of the Accessible Environment for Persons with Disability project to discuss the disability-customised design of urban environment and public facilities.

“The workshops were part of several phases intended to develop appropriate policies and standards for people with disability. Thus they will pave the way for charting out the Dubai Strategy for Accessible Environment for Persons with Disability through which all buildings, facilities, installations and means of transport will be customised for the use of all, including people with disabilities by 2020, thus ranking Dubai among the best disabled-friendly cities worldwide.”

The project also aims at promoting the initiative of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, titled ‘My Community ... A City for Everyone’.