ABU DHABI: Samtrans, a Swedish company with over 30 years of experience in providing tailor-made services to people with special needs, has opened its first office in the region in the UAE capital.
The firm will provide a range of what it calls ‘inclusive’ services to people with special needs (people of determination) in the UAE.
“Inclusion is an approach to make lives easy for people with special needs by adopting specific changes in the present system,” said Ingemar Fredriksson, CEO of the company. The UAE office, which is a joint venture between Samtrans and local partner Faisal Al Nuami, has been named Inclusion Services.
“We are the number one in these kind of services in Sweden, which is an added honour since Stockholm ranks number one in the world for inclusive transport.”
Three levels of inclusion
The company aims to provide three levels of inclusive services in the city. “The first is ‘accessibility’, the second ‘assisted accessibility’ and the third is ‘pro-active work’ to make the society inclusive for everyone (by raising awareness),” he explained.
“As part of the first level, we have already rolled out our paratransit vehicle,” said Fredriksson. “One can avail of free rides on the special vehicle during the introductory phase. “We will introduce other services depending on the response we get from customers,” he added.
For ‘assisted accessibility’ services, the company will hire people from the hospitality or healthcare sector, who will be trained to be a good guide and friend to the person in need.
As part of the third level, the firm aims to contribute in changing the perception about people of determination. “In Sweden we post inspiring examples and news on our Facebook page. We also work in close co-operation with various organisations representing the users of our services. We hope to establish the same kind of rapport here.”
The choice of Abu Dhabi as the company’s first international hub came as a coincidence when one of its board directors noticed a strong interest for inclusive services in the country during a holiday here.
The company then worked with Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs, Abu Dhabi Educational Council and several other entities to research on the best possible ways to implement its ideas here.
Free test ride
The vehicle features pneumatic air suspension technology, which makes it possible to lower it in three different ways in order to facilitate movement of wheelchairs in and out of the vehicle.
A stair climber enables a wheelchair-bound passenger to get into the vehicle with ease. This also comes handy when moving in or out of a building with no ramps. Drivers are trained on how to use the safety equipment as well as CPR and First-Aid.
“There are plenty of other features which are best explained on a test ride. We offer free trips of up to two hours to any Abu Dhabi resident with special needs. Our vehicle can take two wheelchairs and four other passengers,” said Fredrikkson.
For more information, visit www.inclusionservices.ae
The writer is an Abu Dhabi-based freelancer
