By Laila Azzeh

AMMAN –– People with disabilities (PWD) in Jordan still suffer from abuse and exploitation, according to a review of the first phase of the national strategy for the disabled.

During a press conference on Tuesday to announce the November 23-24 national conference on the disabled, HRH Prince Raad, Chief Chamberlain and president of the Higher Council for the Affairs of People with Disabilities (HCAPD), said the review found a "gap" in terms of protecting PWD from abuse.

He noted that a paper will be discussed during the upcoming conference on means to develop a mechanism to safeguard people with disabilities against mistreatment and exploitation.

"The conference seeks to evaluate the challenges and progress in implementing the first phase of the Kingdom's strategy for the disabled, which ends at the end of this year," Prince Raad added, indicating that the conference will also provide a platform to measure the commitment of public and private institutions in applying the provisions of the strategy.

"The conference is part of the HCAPD's obligations to assess the application of the strategy in private and public agencies and take a closer look at the real situation of the disabled in Jordan," the Prince noted, adding that the conference will call for activating the role of civil society organisations in initiating partnerships to serve PWD.

He noted that a report will be issued following the conference highlighting the achievements of the strategy, presenting an analysis of the situation of PWD and identifying the role of the private and public sectors in protecting their rights.

The report will also shed light on the plans and programmes to be carried out under the second phase of the strategy, which will cover the years 2010-2015, the Prince added.

HCAPD Secretary General Amal Nahhas said the council is working to improve the conditions of PWD by enacting appropriate regulations and directing projects pertaining to disability rights as well as ensuring the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The HCAPD announced this week that it has completed a draft for the second phase of the national strategy, which will be posted on the council's website to enable government agencies and concerned NGOs to submit their suggestions and comments.

Under the first phase of the strategy, the government endorsed the 2007 Law for the Rights of People with Disabilities, which tackles various issues, including PWD engagement and integration into public life as well as their opportunities for employment, education, healthcare and rehabilitation.

The strategy seeks to reduce the disability rate by 5 per cent during the first stage and 15 per cent by the end of the second stage through promoting early detection, supporting health awareness programmes and establishing sections at healthcare centres for the detection and treatment of disabilities.

It also calls for providing financial support to institutions that recruit PWD and providing the disabled with financial and technical assistance to help them implement income-generating projects.

In addition, the strategy calls for environmental and structural changes to buildings and public facilities to comply with the needs of PWD.