The Disabled

Since its establishment in November 2005, the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai put at the top of its priorities and within the framework of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is keeping on providing developed services to an important social segment in the UAE; it is the Disabled whose needs and requirements have always been embedded in RTA's development plans and services.

With the ongoing development process, and execution of the in accordance with the world-class standards, RTA has committed to play its CSR role, which ensures its emergence as a socially responsible party that led to care for the Disabled. In so doing, an unprecedented package of integrated services tailored for this category in all facilities and points provided by different RTA's agencies and sectors, has become eminent. These services can be summarized as follows:

Services for the Disabled

Rail Agency

  • Tactile floor paths to guide visually-impaired persons at rail stations.
  • All ticket-selling booths are designed to be accessible to wheelchair users.
  • Toilets for the disabled.
  • Special spaces on all rail facilities for wheelchair users.
  • Installation of audio-visual cautionary signs upon opening & closing of platform screen doors.
  • Lifts with ample space for the movement of wheelchairs.
  • CCTV for hearing-impaired persons.
  • Audio notices for visually-impaired persons.
  • Special hand-rests at a suitable height.
  • Push-button to stop motion in emergency cases.
  • Stations are provided with escalators fitted with side hand rests stretching along the rail.
  • Lights stretching along the escalator to improve the extent of visibility.
  • A non-slippery sliding path from the car park to the station entrance.
  • Easily distinctive colours for the floors and sliding path.
  • Parking Provision for special needs near the main station entrances.
  • Provision of automatic doors to ease the entry and exit process.
  • Designated space for a wheel chair in each carriage, located in close proximity to the door.
  • Providing stations with public phones at much lower level to enable the disabled to use them
  • Spacious doors to ease the entrance of wheel chairs for the disabled .

Card Services Department

  • Disabled type of cards is provided for NOL personalized cards holders only, whereby can transport for free using solely Dubai Metro and Public Buses in Dubai City.
  • NOL Personalized Card for Disabled is worth AED 70 (AED 50 NOL personalized Card's purchase value and AED 20 as a NOL personalized Card initial e-purse to pay for other services such as, Parking and Water Bus trips among others).
  • NOL personalized Card for Disabled is valid for 5 years only.
  • After the elapse of 5 years from activating a NOL personalized Card for Disabled, customers can apply for obtaining a new NOL personalized Card for Disabled at the same value.

Public Transport Agency

  • Providing the new buses with all means of comfort and accessibility for the disabled by lowering the floor level and enabling passengers of this category use them easily.
  • Providing push-buttons in the reach of passengers to order a service.
  • Providing air-conditioned shelters.
  • All marine transport stations have been designed to be user-friendly to the disabled .
  • Water Bus can be used by the disabled , it is designed to ease their movement.
  • Providing ample seating areas on board the water bus for the disabled by accommodating up to 3 wheelchairs.
  • The crew assists the disabled to enter water bus easily & an employee is deployed at each marina.
  • LCD monitors are available to provide information about water bus, and safety procedures.
  • The Ferry has been designed to be used by all community segments, including the disabled .
  • Suitable spaces have been provided for 2 wheelchairs in Ferry Dubai.
  • Seats are 20% foldable to meet the requirements of the disabled through the provision ample space for the entry & exit of wheelchairs, thus ensuring stability on board.

Traffic & Roads Agency

  • Pavement height is lowered in the proximity of junctions or cross points.
  • Construction of pedestrian crossings between the two ends of the road such that there will be no height difference.
  • Footbridges with lifts to be used by the disabled .
  • Auditing the designs of the new parking lots to ensure availability of parking for the disabled .
  • When carrying out traffic impact studies, attention to be given to providing suitable services for the disabled such as parking, and paths near the entrances.
  • Installing all signs to help the disabled at parking and all areas.
  • Installing ground marking (paints) for the disabled .
  • Providing free parking for the disabled .
  • Issuance of special parking permits in the emirate of Dubai.
  • Law No. 1/2008 had been issued to regulate the use of special parking in the emirate of Dubai, and accordingly the Executive Regulation of the Law was issued stating the types of permits, beneficiary categories and conditions applicable to them.

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