Accessibility is of paramount importance as Qatar 2022 approaches.

At a special event held two weeks before the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, organizers presented accessibility options. At Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Multaqa Student Center, members of the disability community as well as key leaders from the Supreme Council for Handover and Legacy (SC) and FIFA discussed in greater detail how accessibility fits into the preparations for the global event.

This edition in 2022 will mark significant advancements for disabled fans. For instance, all matches will include Arabic audio description. Additionally, the stadiums are equipped with sensory rooms for those who require them. In addition, the accessibility of the new stadiums has been designed to the highest standards, including parking, seating, restrooms, and shops.

In accordance with the FIFATM World Cup Sustainability Strategy, the SC, along with FIFA and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, has prioritized accessibility issues throughout the preparation process.

Consequently, the SC established the Accessibility Forum in 2016 Its members were instrumental in providing feedback on the various infrastructure projects. Not only has the SC been able to meet FIFA’s accessibility and inclusion standards, but it has also been able to advance disability rights in Qatar.

“Our dedication to accessibility has existed since the beginning of this great journey and has never been questioned. Not only have we actively worked to ensure that our stadiums and venues meet accessibility standards, but we have also engaged with the disability community to ensure that the World Cup will leave a lasting legacy long after the competition has concluded “Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, stated.

Through a mobile application, audio description is also available in Arabic and English to fans around the world who are seated in the stands. During the tournament, sensory rooms will be made available at the Al Bayt, Lusail, and Education City Stadiums.

In these rooms, people will be able to watch the games in a more tranquil setting, equipped with all the necessary technology and managed by experts. No major international tournament has ever utilized such a strategy.” FIFA desires to create a service infrastructure that is inclusive and accessible to all, including those with impairments or decreased mobility. We have been collaborating with the SC for several years to ensure that all new stadiums and training venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup would be accessible to individuals with disabilities or impaired mobility.

The FIFA accessibility guidelines are integral to the planning procedure “explained FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Faisal Al Kohaji, a member of the Accessibility Forum and the president of the Qatar Socio-Cultural Club for the Blind, is glad that the country did not have to wait until the opening match on 20 November at the Al Beyt stadium to take advantage of this progress.

“The advancements produced in the accessibility sector since Qatar was selected to host the World Cup have altered the lives of numerous individuals. We now have a contemporary transportation system that meets the needs of all demographics. Accessibility in museums, shopping malls, and other spaces has vastly increased “says Al Kohaji.