3 Sharjah Museums Named Age-friendly Organisations

Three Sharjah museums have been selected as part of the Emirate’s Age-friendly Organizations initiative, Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) has announced.

The program, which is in-line with SMA’s core value of providing accessibility for all, is aimed at advancing efforts to help people live easily and comfortably in their homes and communities as they age.

The Higher Follow-Up Committee for Sharjah’s Membership in the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities have listed Sharjah Museums of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah Maritime Museum and Sharjah Aquarium as part of the initiative’s first phase.

The three cultural venues were selected for meeting more than 80 percent of a strict set of guidelines such as engineering standards and requirements that keep pace with the needs of aged people and ensuring that elderly visitors have easy access to buildings, facilities and high-quality services. 

“The Age-friendly Organizations initiative aligns perfectly with SMA’s mission to provide access to all community members,” said Manal Ataya, Director-General of SMA.

“Since signing the 'Commitment to the Care of the Elderly' document in 2018, we have rolled out a number of initiatives and programs targeting our older visitors, such as limiting their wait times and the availability of wheelchairs,” explained Ataya

A policy to provide the elderly with facilitated services and covers all employees who deal with the seniors, including tour guides, receptionists, event organizers and librarians has also been put in place by SMA.

In addition, the Authority will seek to enlist seniors in special events and activities to pass on their knowledge and expertise to younger generations.

In August 2020, an 86 percent of work on the Sharjah Age Friendly city program had been completed since it began in 2017.