UAE’s Big Step Towards Inclusivity: Open Beach For Visually Challenged (Image- instagram/@yallahabudhabi)
The UAE government, in its continued efforts to expand inclusivity within the hospitality sector, has opened a beach specifically designed for individuals who are visually challenged.
Joining forces with the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, it has developed a 1000-metre beach which is located near the Gate 3 area of the Corniche.
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The beach provides free access to the challenged visitors and one guest, giving them the unique opportunity to enjoy a day out independently. The Municipality also ensures that the designated swimming and leisure area on the Corniche includes tailored services.
The facilities on the beach include a specific vehicle to facilitate transportation, paved guidance pathways with specialised tactile tiles extending along the walkway, and a Braille instruction board. The beach also has fenced pathways which have a guiding rope and alert bells at both ends, emitting sound cues to direct users to the swimming area.
The designated swimming zone is supervised by trained lifeguards as well.
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The beach also features accessible walkways for people with disabilities and the elderly, dedicated restrooms, floating wheelchairs for water access, complimentary drinking water stations, free transportation services for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens, and designated parking spaces.
The beach is open from 6 am until midnight. However, swimming is only permitted from 6 am till sunset. A licensed nurse will also be present to provide any kind of first aid assistance.
