Spectators during a match at the Education City Stadium.
Doha: Accessibility and inclusivity are at the core of the Education City Stadium, with the facility housing a number of features that will ensure all members of the community an unforgettable and immersive FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 experience.
And one these features is its sensory room, which has been designed to accommodate those with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as people with sensory access requirements.
Located in one of the venue’s exclusive viewing skyboxes, Skybox 1, it is the result of a group effort between FIFA, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Foundation (QF), the Qatar Institute for Speech and Hearing (QISH), and the Sensory Souk.
The room is for individuals who find the stadium environment too stimulating or overwhelming. It is designed to help regulate the surroundings for people with ASD, while still allowing them to enjoy the matches. It houses interactive games, fidget toys, and a limited number of noise cancelling headphones, as well as catering facilities.
Nihal Al Saleh, Programme Manager, Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future, a member of QF, is passionate about making the stadium as accessible as possible. “At the end of the day, it’s about ensuring that promises are delivered, and Qatar is working on delivering the most accessible tournament.
“I think the most important thing is the legacy of sports in Qatar – to be a country that is a champion of sports as well as a champion of human beings who are achieving their potential in any chosen field. Most people relate to sports as something that includes able bodied people, but it’s much more than that.
“We have a responsibility to ensure the perception shifts to normalising sports across all abilities and for access to all functions within the sports industry to be for everyone,” she said.
Other services provided within Education City Stadium include trained volunteers during game days who will help spectators with special needs find their way to their seats. And wayfinding signage is in place to ensure the spectators journey is simple and clear. The accessibility stands have tactile paving for the visually impaired, as well as high-visibility coloured strips that act as guides. The concession stands also feature lower counters for easier access, including for wheelchair users.
“In the lead up to the tournament, changes were made based on accessibility audits, which took into account feedback from members of the inclusion community in Qatar. These audits helped ensure features such as toilets designed for inclusive wheelchair access, including motorised vehicles, were up to the required standard.
“It was extremely heartwarming to see how quickly several of these changes were implemented prior to the FIFA Arab Cup 2021. This shows the dedication of the organizations involved and how much of a priority accessibility is for the teams who have worked on this project,” Al Saleh said.
Located within Education City, the stadium is yet another testament to QF’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity. Other initiatives range from its specialised schools, such as Renad Academy and Awsaj Academy, to its Ability Friendly Programme and the Translation and Interpreting Institute, part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
