Dubai Municipality provides free floating wheelchairs for elderly and disabled

Dubai (WAM): To help the public with special needs to fulfil their desires and enjoy life with other community members, Dubai Municipality yesterday launched a community initiative for the elderly and disabled, providing 15 swimming wheelchairs in Al Mamzar and Jumeirah beaches, becoming the first Arab city that provides such a facility. "The move comes as part of the civic body s keenness to achieve the strategic goal of Dubai Government to be one of the most friendly cities in the world for people with special needs by 2020 through the initiative My Community - A City for Everyone , launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council," said Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of the Municipality. "Dubai is the first Arab city that provides this facility for people with special needs. We selected these chairs after a market study about the product. The chairs cost around Dh9,000 each and are imported from France," Lootah said. "They elderly and disabled can use chairs without the help of others and the service is totally free of charge" he said, adding, “We have already formed a team of lifeguards and trainers at both Al Mamzar and Jumeirah beaches to ensure safety," he concluded. The launch ceremony was attended by senior officials from Dubai Municipality, Dubai Sports Council and the Community Centre for Elderly. – Emirates News Agency, WAM