Qatar hopes World Cup will boost its longer-term accessibility efforts

DOHA: World Cup host Qatar is hoping the ongoing tournament will boost its accessibility efforts and help the country better accommodate people with special needs in the longer term.    For all matches, there is a dedicated allocation of tickets for disabled people and those with limited mobility to purchase. There are five types of accessibility tickets, including for wheelchair users and spectators who require a controlled sensory environment.   “So much work has been done to ensure that the World Cup is an accessible experience for disabled fans,” said football fan Ahmed Habib, a wheelchair user who has found it physically challenging when attending football matches in some European cities.    “What's really cool about it is that disabled fans were involved from the very beginning, and planning for this tournament through something that we call the Accessibility Forum. So, it's been a tremendous experience.”

In a first, there are “sensory rooms” set up at three of the eight World Cup stadiums for those with autism or other neuro-behavioural disorders.    On matchdays, these rooms, which are equipped with assistive technology and managed by experts, offer comfortable spaces for fans for whom a crowded stadium and loud music can be a challenging experience.   This is the first time the World Cup has provided such sensory rooms for fans who need them, said Ms Fatma Al-Nuaimi, communications executive director at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.   “So we are not only looking out for people with physical disabilities but even people who have some autism, we want to make sure they have a right to experience.”   At the various stadiums, audio descriptive commentary is provided so those with visual impairments