Post by : Shweta
Initiative aims to assess government and private buildings and make public facilities more inclusive
Dhofar Municipality has reviewed a national initiative aimed at assessing government and private buildings, along with public facilities, to determine how well they meet the needs of people with disabilities. The initiative focuses on improving accessibility and applying inclusive design standards so that people can use public facilities and services independently and safely.
Meeting Reviews Initiative Objectives
The initiative, titled “Inventory and Evaluation of Government and Private Buildings and Public Facilities Prepared for People with Disabilities”, was discussed during a meeting between Dr. Ahmed bin Mohsen Al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, and the team responsible for its implementation. The meeting examined the initiative's objectives, assessment procedures and ways to strengthen accessibility standards across facilities.
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Team to Identify Barriers and Accessibility Gaps
Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Baawain, Director General of Projects and Technical Affairs at Dhofar Municipality and head of the initiative team, said the working group was formed to address challenges that people with disabilities face when participating in public life. The initiative also aims to improve their access to essential services and support greater independence and social integration.
Five Government Bodies Involved
The working team includes representatives from Dhofar Municipality, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, the Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. Their participation is intended to support coordination across government bodies and relevant institutions.
Database and Field Assessments Planned
The team's responsibilities include preparing a comprehensive plan to identify and assess the targeted buildings and facilities. It will also develop a database showing their level of accessibility readiness.
Field visits will be conducted to identify physical barriers and areas that do not meet accessibility requirements. Based on these findings, the team will propose solutions and recommendations to improve access. Periodic reports will also be prepared to track progress and assessment results.
Focus on Independent Access and Social Participation
According to the initiative team, the assessment is intended to identify actual accessibility needs and guide future development efforts. Improving access to buildings and public facilities could help reduce everyday challenges faced by people with disabilities and their families, while supporting participation in community and economic activities.
Initiative Linked to Oman Vision 2040
The initiative is supervised by the Ministry of Social Development under the framework of Oman’s Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It also supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to build an inclusive and sustainable society where accessibility is available to all.
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