When my sister got married, I set off excitedly in search for something to wear. I have never been a fan of shopping; negotiating stores in my wheelchair is not an enjoyable experience but on this particular occasion, my feelings went from dislike to utter hatred. As I trawled a big department store in London, a member of staff approached me. I explained I was looking for a wedding outfit but she cut me off and said: “We don't have anything that will suit you.” I left upset, disappointed and empty-handed, having been made to feel that I did not belong.
I did eventually spend £350 in another store with a fully accessible changing room, where I was allocated a staff member to help me find a variety of clothes to try on, but I know I am not alone in being frustrated by businesses ill-equipped to cater to people like me. Yet we are growing in number and the sooner they realise that, the better. Thanks to an ageing population and medical advancements that have enabled people to survive serious forms of disability and injuries, one billion people worldwide – equivalent to 15 per cent of the global population – experience some form of disability. Among them are about 40 million Arabs, according to UN figures, who are not being recognised as a source of spending power and could contribute hugely to the region's economy.
The problem with so many shops and businesses globally is that they think by having a lift or ramp, they have fulfilled their requirements. This ignores the fact not all disabled people are wheelchair users and simply getting inside a shop is not the sum total of accessibility and inclusion.
Having spoken to several disabled people in the GCC region, one thing they all agreed on is the fact that shopping or going to restaurants is often a challenge. One friend, Tarek Salem, a wheelchair user from Egypt, says 80 per cent of the products he buys are from online stores as most shops in Cairo do not have accessible changing rooms. There is also the issue of having the right products. If you are a wheelchair user, for example, you need your trousers to be a certain length and the material to be comfortable enough to accommodate sitting in a wheelchair all day.
Often products or items of clothing are not within reach of a wheelchair user and stores can be filled with so much stock, there is no room to manoeuvre. Things are even more difficult if you are visually impaired, as Alaa Mahfouz, a doctorate student in Jordan, says. He detests shopping in Amman as he needs someone to accompany him and when he does his grocery shopping from the local market, he is often tricked by traders who sell him fruit and vegetables that are rotten, knowing he won't be able to tell.
A recent study in the UK found the annual spending power of customers with disabilities stands at £249 billion, which opens up the debate of what more retailers, brands and advertisers could do to appeal to disabled people. In the Arab world, 40 million disabled people surely make up one of the largest untapped consumer markets.
So why aren't brands doing more to attract disabled customers? Doing so would mean some tiny but significant steps – featuring disabled models regularly in advertising campaigns, fashion magazines and on the runway, for example, and having disabled members of staff working in stores. Some stores think being inclusive means more expense but they forget that providing better access to more customers spending money will generate greater profits in the long run.
People with disabilities present new, targeted business opportunities, such as designing equipment, technology and services to facilitate adaptive sports and everyday activities. But it's difficult to understand the needs of disabled people without employing or even consulting them. A recent study in the US found companies that improved internal practices for inclusion were four times more likely to see higher shareholder returns. The alternative is to ignore the potential market and its opportunities and not just lose billions of pounds but the chance to play a part in making the world a more inclusive one.
Raya Al Jadir is a freelance journalist and co-founder of the first Arabic lifestyle e-magazine of its kind, Disability Horizons Arabic
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Company%20Profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Fixtures
50-over match
UAE v Lancashire, starts at 10am
Champion County match
MCC v Surrey, four-day match, starting on Sunday, March 24, play starts at 10am
Both matches are at ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City. Admission is free.
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Continental champions
Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)
Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)
Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)
Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)
Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)
Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)
Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
match info
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')
Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')
Man of the match Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
