VOX Cinemas at Mall of the Emirates has received Dubai Municipality's Wosool accessibility certification, making it the first certified fully accessible cinema in the GCC and, per Majid Al Futtaim, the first in the Middle East.
- The certification covers the whole venue — every auditorium and format, not just selected screens.
- Upgrades include easy-access doors, ramps at entrances and exits, accessible health facilities, dedicated counter and auditorium space, and wayfinding.
- Majid Al Futtaim says similar accessibility enhancements will roll out across its remaining VOX Cinemas locations.
Good News for Dubai Cinema-Goers: VOX Mall of the Emirates Just Made Every Auditorium Accessible to Everyone
Wosool is Dubai Municipality’s Certificate of Compliance with Accessibility Regulations for Existing Buildings, tied to the Dubai Building Code and the Dubai Universal Design Code. Passing it is a formal guarantee that the key touchpoints of a venue — entrances, circulation routes, toilets, counters and auditorium access — meet city-wide standards for People of Determination, older adults and children. It is also now a mandatory requirement for buildings and facilities across the emirate, which came out of the ‘My Community… A City for Everyone’ initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The most practical part of the announcement is the scope. Majid Al Futtaim says all categories of People of Determination can now ‘enjoy the full range of cinema services across all auditoriums with ease, comfort, and independence’. That means the certification covers the entire venue rather than a handful of designated screens, so any film and any showtime at this branch should offer comparable physical access — including the premium formats Mall of the Emirates is known for. If you are checking what’s new in UAE cinemas this week, you no longer need to filter by which hall happens to be accessible.
The upgrades on the ground
The listed improvements are concrete rather than vague. Doors have been designed for easy access, which in practice means wider openings and easier handling for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. There are appropriate ramps at entrances and exits to remove steps and steep level changes on the way in and out. Accessible health facilities are now integrated into the cinema area itself, so visitors are not left relying on general mall toilets some distance away. There is also dedicated counter and auditorium space, plus wayfinding to make navigating the venue simpler for everyone — a benefit that extends to families with prams and older visitors as much as People of Determination.
Ignace Lahoud, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, framed the certification as part of the company’s ‘Dare Today, Change Tomorrow’ sustainability strategy, saying the aim is to shape spaces ‘that go beyond compliance’ rather than simply tick the regulatory box.
What happens at other VOX locations
Mall of the Emirates is the flagship, but it is not meant to be a one-off. Majid Al Futtaim says similar accessibility upgrades will be implemented across its remaining VOX Cinemas locations, which suggests this venue is the template for the wider UAE network. No timeline has been announced for the other branches, so for now Mall of the Emirates is the safe pick if full accessibility across every screen is what you need. Given VOX’s footprint across the country, a proper rollout would be one of the more meaningful quality-of-life upgrades to cinema-going here in years — and one worth holding the company to.
FAQ
What is the Wosool certification that VOX Cinemas Mall of the Emirates received?
Wosool is Dubai Municipality's Certificate of Compliance with Accessibility Regulations for Existing Buildings. It confirms a venue meets the accessibility requirements of the Dubai Building Code and Universal Design Code, guaranteeing inclusive, safe access for People of Determination, older adults and children.
Are all screens at VOX Mall of the Emirates now accessible?
Yes. Majid Al Futtaim says all categories of People of Determination can enjoy the full range of cinema services across all auditoriums, meaning access is not limited to selected or designated screens.
What accessibility upgrades has VOX Mall of the Emirates added?
The upgrades include doors designed for easy access, ramps at entrances and exits, accessible health facilities within the cinema, dedicated counter and auditorium space, and wayfinding throughout the venue.
Will other VOX Cinemas in the UAE get the same accessibility upgrades?
Majid Al Futtaim says similar accessibility enhancements will be rolled out across its remaining VOX Cinemas locations, though no timeline has been announced yet.
