Tweet spurs action on movie ticket booking for the wheelchair-bound
DUBAI — “Did you know that wheelchair-bound people of determination here can’t book a movie ticket online via smart apps or websites? As per rules, they need to appear in person, and that is too difficult to do. To have access to some cinemas here, they need some kind of a ‘military landing’.”
This was just a tweet by Hassan Ali, who said he had been diagnosed with sleep paralysis.
Everything was normal until Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, replied to his tweet, saying: “I did communicate with all the said cinemas to specify some seats that can be booked by wheelchair-bound people online through their smart app, and they have agreed.”
Ali could not believe it, and thanked the minister for her immediate reaction and then talking to him over the phone to confirm the good news.
“This issue has been a major concern for me for many years. Thanks to Allah, it has been addressed by the bodies concerned. Thank you minister, for calling me on the phone, and the swift action to amend this position.”
The tweet by Hassan Ali and the minister’s reply, along with the immediate action, went viral on social media and has been hailed by many people. Social media influencer Ahmed Amiri commented: “This is the UAE; all blessing of Allah be upon UAE.”
Reiterating the same concerns of Hassan Ali, 28-year-old Indian resident Sharan Anil Budhrani told Khaleej Times that he had the same difficulty at a mall in Dubai. “They do not have proper access for people on wheelchairs in their parking.”
He added that most of the malls have proper facilities but they “need to have disabled-friendly restrooms so a person on a wheelchair can have enough space to turn their chairs.”
Budhrani, who is an artist at the
A disability prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. The role of everyone is to recognise these disabilities and support them.” Wafa Hamad bin Sulaiman, director, rehabilitation and care department of people of determination
Most of the seats allocated to people of determination are too close to the screens, and not all the people on wheelchairs can move to those seats easily.” Sharan Anil Budhrani, Indian resident
The ministry is also helping determined people gain access to jobs or social security and offers financial support for those struggling to gain employment.” Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development
I feel incredibly honoured and blessed that we have such a strong leadership pushing the mission and vision for the people of determination forward.” Omair Muhammad, Pakistani resident
Mawaheb from Beautiful People studio in Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai, pointed out that only very few cinemas have spaces dedicated for wheelchairs.
“Most of the seats allocated to people of determination are too close to the screens, and not all the people on wheelchairs can sit on those seats easily.”
Being unable to get up by himself, Budhrani prefers to sit in his electric wheelchair.
“I need to go to the cinemas that have spaces for wheelchairs before I book tickets online.” No cinema app mentions any space for wheelchairs, he underlined.
“The same can be said about parking at Dragon Mart, where there are no proper wheelchair access to footpaths,” he said, urging security guards to be aware of the ‘people with disabilities’ logo.
Pakistani resident Omair Muhammad, 22, marketing executive at the Dubai Club for People of Determination, told Khaleej Times that every cinema he had been to was difficult to access because of the seats’ layout.
“We always have to access the seats by the edge.” Another reason that makes online booking tough is that while booking, they can’t see where the entrance and the stairs are, he added.
“I usually book online and go there personally before the movie to change my seat.”
In a comment to the minister’s action, Muhammad said he was thrilled to hear that they will look into the matter and take action. “We have the right to enjoy the cinema just like anyone else.
“I feel incredibly honoured and blessed that we have such a strong leadership pushing the mission and vision for the people of determination forward.”