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RTA’s Higher Organising Committee of the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) has recently held a workshop in coordination with the Ministry of Community Development targeting a number of Centers of People of Determination. The workshop aimed to acquaint them with RTA initiatives tailored to People of Determination, such as DAST, which comprises four categories and one of them is dedicated to the people of determination.
“The workshop discussed several topics including the objectives, categories and criteria of DAST along with examples of winning initiatives in the past. It also covered the conditions and means of participation in the Award and channels of communication with the Organising Committee that believes people of determination have a vital role to play in the community, and it’s very important that we innovate safe and seamless transport solutions for them in modern cities,” said Abdul Rahman Al Janahi, Secretary General of DAST.
The number of participants in the People of Determination Category in the 10th Edition of DAST was (8). The first winner was ‘The Integrated Transport Center’ in Abu Dhabi for their initiative of ‘Smart Discount Cards for the People of Determination,’ while the second winner was the ‘Social Services Department’ in Sharjah for their initiative of the ‘Mobile Clinic for the Elderly and People of Determination.’
“RTA is keen to ensure that its projects, facilities and mass transit services are friendly to the people of determination and seniors. All public transport modes are designed to cater to the needs of this category. For instance, the metro carriages and stations are fitted with audio-visual devices to display information or ads for audio or visually impaired clients. The stations have tactile floors to guide those people to carriages or their designated places in carriages. Lifts and electrical staircases are also fitted with audio and optical systems for the use of those two categories.
“Public buses are equipped with a hydraulic system to lower the bus and make it easy for seniors or mobility-disabled people to board the bus. The bus door has steps to bridge the gap between the pavement and the bus floor. Thus, it will be possible to allow smooth access to wheelchairs, and marine transit modes (water bus, water taxi and Dubai Ferry). Additionally, seats and areas are designated exclusively for use of people of determination.
Customers Service employees are trained in serving this category and making it easy for them to board marine transit modes. Dubai Taxi has designated cabs configured to serving the people of determination,” added Al Janahi.
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