Team surveying buildings equipped for persons with disabilities begins fieldwork in Muscat

Muscat: The team tasked with surveying buildings and facilities equipped for persons with disabilities in Muscat Governorate commenced fieldwork surveys in various sectors across the governorate today. This initiative targets assessing the readiness of buildings and facilities and their suitability for the needs of people with disabilities, in accordance with approved standards and principles. This inventory work follows on from the preparatory efforts carried out by the team during the previous phase and reflects its remit and assigned tasks, preparing to establish a comprehensive database to support planning and development efforts regarding accessibility and usability of buildings and facilities. Salem bin Saif Al-Shu’aili, the team head, explained that starting the field survey marks a transition to a key phase of the team’s work, during which condition of the targeted buildings, establishments and facilities will be observed, and their accessibility and suitability for the needs of people with disabilities will be evaluated. He stated the survey results will contribute to providing accurate and inclusive data on readiness across various sectors. Thereby identifying opportunities for improvement and advancement, and supporting the relevant entities in planning and appropriate decision-making, to achieve a more inclusive environment with greater accessibility to services and facilities. Al-Shu’aili noted that the team follows a unified methodology to collect and document data. Thereby ensuring its accuracy and consistency, and contributing to creating a database that can benefit preparation of plans, programmes and initiatives relating to preparing buildings and facilities. He highlighted that cooperation between government and private institutions is significant to successfully achieving survey objectives. As part of the team’s fieldwork and introductory activities, His Excellency Hamad bin Sultan Al-Busaidi, Wali of Al Amerat, received the inventory team, accompanied by the Director-General of the General Directorate of the Muscat Municipality in Al Amerat, the wilayat’s two Municipal Council members, and numerous representatives of government entities. During the meeting, the team delivered a visual presentation on the initiative’s objectives, its implementation mechanisms and work stages. Furthermore methodology for identifying government buildings, private sector buildings and public facilities, and evaluating their accessibility and suitability for needs of people with disabilities. The team presented the initiative’s targets, which include establishing a unified and accurate database of accessible buildings and facilities. This will enhance decision-making, boost efficiency of planning and coordination among the relevant entities, and contribute to identifying improvement opportunities and advancing services and facilities. This initiative aims to reinforce Muscat Governorate’s efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible environment, and to highlight the Governorate as a model in providing facilities and services that meet needs of people with disabilities. Implementing these surveys and introductory meetings with relevant entities form part of efforts to reinforce integration across the various sectors in Muscat Governorate, and to support initiatives to develop a service and spatial environment that is accessible and appropriate for needs of people with disabilities. Thereby contributing to enhancing their independence and accessibility to various services and facilities.