Dubai - Post Report Question and Answers
Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, though Dubai (and the UAE in general) is probably the best place in the Middle East for someone with physical disabilities (or what the UAE terms "people of determination"). Dubai places a great emphasis on facilities for those with physical disabilities, for example, specialized taxis, good infrastructure in tourist areas (malls, airports, hotels, beaches, etc.). However, living there is a different question; many neighbourhoods do not have completed sidewalks (as in they simply just end after a few blocks) and crossing large streets is always a challenge. Accessible pedestrian signals are few and far between, and elevators in metro stations are often not functional. - Mar 2021
No! UAE takes the inclusion of persons with disabilities, or persons of determination as they are called here, very seriously. Taxi vans are parked in the front road outside of the airport. There are paved paths to the ocean. Public parks have ramps to the playground areas and somewhat accessible playgrounds. Persons of determination and a guest can go to free to almost every attraction in the country. While no place is perfect, this is probably one of the easiest cities for a physically disabled person to navigate. - Jan 2021
None. Good public transportation with wheelchair access. Clean, modern streets and sidewalks. Building with ramps, etc. - Jul 2013
If you have a car, probably not many. I think the metros are handicap-accessible and almost all apartments and office buildings have parking with elevator access. As Dubai is a modern city, the infrastructure seems designed to accommodate wheel chairs, etc. - Aug 2011
The city offers very little in the way of accommodations when out of doors; it isn't a city for pedestrians, let alone the disabled. However, indoors you will find better accommodations (elevators, and sometimes larger bathroom stalls, etc.), but not extensively. One doesn't see many with disabilities, but not because they aren't here. More likely, they don't get out much; therefore, there isn't a big push to make the city accessible. - Sep 2009
