Dubai: With over 100 people of determination visiting Global Village daily, the park has further developed its facilities to ensure it’s fully equipped and easily accessible to all its guests.
Mohammad Ishaq |
Mohammad Ishaq, Guest Experience manager, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview that the park is disability-friendly, starting from the allocated parking areas and VIP entrance, to access inside and around the pavilions, the carnival, and entertainment areas.
He said Global Village is continuously working on its strategic plan to enhance its infrastructure, taking into consideration the needs of all guest types, especially people of determination.
“Our strategy is in line with Dubai’s vision of being a disability-friendly city by 2020,” said Ishaq.
Touch points
People of determination can start their journey to Global Village by parking in the disabled parking spaces offered in all parking lots, including those closest to gates 1, 3, 6. On busy weekends, those who are holders of the vehicle disability sticker will also have access to the VIP parking area.
“People of determination are offered free entrance to the park with a companion, and to ensure they don’t go through any hassle of standing in queues, we offer them access through our VIP gates,” said Ishaq.
Once in the park, guests with disabilities have the option of hiring a wheelchair free of charge, with more than 50 wheelchairs available at each gate.
All entrances to the pavilions have also been equipped with ramps, along with corridors, paths, and entertainment and dining areas. Ramps have also been installed in the washroom facilities, were cubicles designed for people of determination are available.
“Rides at the Carnival can also accommodate most types of disabilities. Ride attendants are aware of ride safety regulations and can inform people of determination if they are able to attend the rides,” explained Ishaq.
With entertainment and shows being the highest reason for the ‘purpose of visit’ among guests to Global Village, the park also ensures that specific areas by the performance stages are located for people of determination with easy access away from the crowds. “For the Monster Stunt Show, we also revamped the seating area to include a ramp, a separate gate, and specific seats for people of determination so they can watch the show without any hassle or disruption,” said Ishaq.
The park has also arranged trips for different centres for people of determination, offering them special activities according to their requirements. The Global Village outreach programme has also sent their entertainment team to centres including the Elderly Home Care in Sharjah, Latifa Hospital, Family Village Orphans, and the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation.
Gulf News also talked to Omair Mohammad, 20, from Pakistan, who is a part of the Dubai Centre for People of Determination about his experience at Global Village this season.
Describing his two visits to the park as “perfect”, Mohammad praised the service he was offered by attendees at the park.
“I easily parked at the designated spots near the gate, and was even offered help with my wheelchair by the valet staff. I didn’t need to purchase any tickets and I was given access to the VIP entrance. I was there for four hours and comfortably roamed around,” he said.
Mohammad, who is paralysed from the waist down, said he had no issues touring the park in his wheelchair, and was offered help on to the rides at the carnival, and on to the boat ride by the Global Village staff. “I plan to go again this season, and especially for the shows, I really enjoy them,” he added.
Similarly, 40-year-old Raisa Al Falasi, from Dubai, said her trip to Global Village has always been smooth and easy.
“From the parking to inside the gates, I was offered help by the staff and security — they are most welcoming and friendly,” she said.
Al Falasi, who used an electric chair to get around, said the park’s design makes it possible for her to move around without any help.
“I had easy access to all the stalls in the park and was even able to cross the bridge without any help, as there are ramps at every stop,” she said.
Al Falasi, who is looking forward to her next trip with the Dubai Club for People of Determination, said she most enjoys the shopping, shows and activities at Global Village.
