Tuesday March 19th, 2024
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28 Maadi Sidewalks Are Getting Revamped for People with Disabilities

The new adjustments will enable people on wheelchairs to maneuver through Maadi’s streets without assistance.

Menna Shanab

To promote inclusivity in public infrastructure, the Ministry of Local Development, the Housing and Development Bank and the Misr El Kheir Foundation have started redeveloping the streets of Cairo to be more accommodating of people with disabilities. The initiative kicked off in Maadi, targeting 28 streets - starting with the popular Street 9 - selected by the National Council for Disability Affairs, a specialised unit tasked with overseeing the project.

The new adjustments will enable people on wheelchairs to maneuver through Maadi’s streets without assistance. The initiative ‘Making Cairo’s Sidewalks Accessible to People with Disabilities’ has sights set on redeveloping other parts of Cairo. Downtown Cairo, Tahrir Square and a number of streets in its vicinity have already been adapted for enhanced accessibility.

Along with paving and restructuring sidewalks, governmental buildings have also been adapted in consideration of people with disabilities. All governorates must provide special windows for people with disabilities and organise training courses for employees on raising awareness of disabilities. The Ministry of Local Development is currently coordinating with civil society organizations and NGOs working to address the challenges of people with disabilities in Egypt.