A workshop was organised by the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) to introduce the National Guide for Engineering Standards and Specifications for the Inclusive Urban Environment and Means of Transport for People with Disabilities.
Over 60 participants from various institutions took part in the workshop held under the auspices of Shaikh Rashid bin Ahmed al Shamsi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development at the headquarters of the National Center for Autism in Al Khoudh. The workshop witnessed a review of the guide’s main themes like basic engineering standards and specifications for people with disabilities, the inclusive urban environment, and means of transport for feedback and comments before its implementation.
Nada bint Malallah al Sadiqiyah, Director of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, said: “This guide comes in implementation of Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to provide an accessible environment for persons with disabilities. The National Committee for the Care of Persons with Disabilities confirmed the completion of work to prepare this comprehensive national guide with the participation of the competent government agencies and civil society institutions, and the representatives of persons with disabilities.”
She also added that this guide will guarantee the right of persons with disabilities to easy and accessible access to various facilities and buildings and the provision of services appropriate to their conditions. It will also facilitate the application of international and national standards for various competent authorities to make the environment and means of transportation easy to access and use.
Oman is moving towards establishing an innovative national system for access to sustainable development in line with Oman 2040 Vision, which has placed innovation as a major factor for all its strategic goals.
The Ministry of Social Development seeks to benefit from modern innovations in accessibility and modern technologies in developing assistive technologies in programs and services provided to persons with disabilities. The ministry also believes that success can only be achieved through cooperation and concerted efforts between various governmental, private and civil entities, and with the active participation of persons with disabilities to provide services aimed at full and comprehensive integration into society in an accessible, barrier-free environment.
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