In Qatar, there are many sectors that cater to people with special needs, especially in education and healthcare. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ played a transformative role in making the country more accessible for people with disabilities as the country ensured tournament facilities as well as the wider public infrastructure met the requirements of people with disabilities.
All malls and most shopping centres, and play zones in Qatar are accessible for those who are physically disabled with disabled parking, ramps, elevators and bathrooms. Play zones and other entertainment centres offer discounts for people with special needs.
Al Shaqab offers an Equine Assisted Therapy Program, a specialised programme for children with autism spectrum disorder. Open to children between the ages of 6 – 12. Therapeutic riding and stable management activities combined in 45-minutes sessions, which are offered daily except Friday. 4454 1992, alshaqab.com
Education City Golf Club offers golf courses that are accessible to wheelchair users. The PGA Golf Professionals are open to requests on a case-by-case basis. 7773 7973, ecgolf.com
Sensory Souk, established in 2019 by mothers with children with special needs, is an online and on-site store in Royal Plaza with a wide array of products to support children’s learning and development. 4411 0147, 5512 3374 (WhatsApp), sensorysouk.com
Monoprix iCONIC 2022 provides a sensory-friendly shopping experience between 8 am to 10 am every day in collaboration with Step by Step Centre for Special Needs. Qatar’s first ever ‘Sensory-friendly hour’ in Monoprix iCONIC 2022 store is part of their in-house initiative, ‘Building Bridges: a Step-by-Step Centre Campaign for Inclusion’.
The Museum of Illusions at The Gate Mall designed their premises to be suitable for people with disabilities as part of their aim to be an accessible and inclusive museum for all people. In collaboration with the Accessible Qatar initiative, the museum exhibit descriptions are displayed in Braille to become accessible for the visually impaired. 4020 6273, museumofillusions.qa
Qatar Museums (QM) ensures that all of their galleries, museums and cultural sites are fully accessible with dedicated parking spaces, accessible toilets, ramps, wheelchairs to borrow, lifts and sliding doors. 4422 4100, qm.org.qa/en/accessibility
The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) has a Learning and Outreach team that offers a wide variety of engaging events and programmes that are accessible to audiences of all ages. 4422 4444, mia.org.qa
The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) offers an immersive range of accessibility initiatives. For people with visual impairments, the museum offers bespoke tours, assistive technology and audio guides. There are multisensory elements offered in their permanent galleries, and their stations include Braille text and hands-on models. In collaboration with the Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Deaf (QSCD), NMoQ offers tours in both Arabic and English Sign Language. In collaboration with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), NMOQ offers a sensory room on the ground floor for visitors with sensory processing disorders. Workshops, tours and programmes specially designed for individuals with learning disabilities are offered on a biweekly basis. Tours include exploring family exhibits, and experiencing the myriad sensory and tactile elements the museum has to offer. A range of assistive technology including handheld electronic magnifiers, C Pen readers and Eye-Pal Solo are available at the main entrance reception and the NMoQ library upon request. 4452 5555, nmoq.org.qa
Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar supports all children, including those with special education needs and disabilities, to learn through play, and have fun and bond with family and friends. Dadu’s endeavour is to achieve the highest standards of accessibility to learning – whether for children or accompanying family members. qm.org.qa