Around 100 Braille tourism brochures were handed out by the Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) as part of efforts to acquaint visually-impaired visitors to the emirate, with the services provided by the Tourism Police Section at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs was the first authority to benefit from this humanitarian service.

Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammad Borshid, head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), noted that the initiative aimed at upgrading the level of services provided to the public. “This initiative represents a step towards wider integration for blind and visually-impaired individuals into society. It also contributes to enhancing the evolving nature of Abu Dhabi’s tourism offering, and reflecting the touristic, entertainment and cultural aspects of the emirate, which has emerged as a major and popular tourist destination,” he said.

Furthermore, Colonel Dr Borshid noted that the humanitarian initiative is a part of the police leadership’s directives, within the ‘Plants of Hope’ initiative, which was launched by Lt General HH Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

The ‘Plants of Hope’ initiative aims to support and care for people with disabilities, provide them with a decent life and integrate them into the society.

The brochure includes an overview on the Tourism Police and their objectives as well as tips on the proper methods to call for help during emergency situations or to report loss of property. It also includes the appropriate mechanism to communicate with the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Abu Dhabi; in addition to acquainting tourists with the most popular tourist attractions, places of worship, hotels, traditional clothing, customs and social values, and driving conditions within the UAE.

The brochure includes tips to riding taxis; taxi fare information, car rentals; local laws and sanctions related to alcohol and other drugs; driving distances between cities and emirates; sea and land trips; list of essential and important telephone numbers in Abu Dhabi, such as hospitals, federal authorities, commercial and cultural centres, airports, airlines and police stations. – TradeArabia News Service