Int’l Day of Persons with Disabilities marked with calls for better inclusion

AMMAN — Jordan on Sunday marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwD), under the theme “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”. 

The Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) stressed the importance of enhancing the abilities of PwD to help them have full access to healthcare services, infrastructure and employment opportunities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

On the occasion, which is celebrated annually on December 3, the HCD noted that Jordan issued the law on the rights of people with disabilities, the first of its kind in the Middle East, which included items supporting the rights and needs of PwD and stiffened penalties against violators of these rights.

The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) issued a statement, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, highlighting the importance of the day in shedding light on violations against PwD and suggesting recommendations that would contribute to curbing such attacks. 

NCHR called on all institutions to employ people with disabilities as stipulated in the Labour Law which states the need to employ at least one PwD in each institution that has 25 to 50 employees and to allocate 4 per cent of jobs to PwD in institutions with more than 50 employees.

Social Development Ministry Spokesperson Fawaz Ratrout said that the ministry cooperates with all stakeholders to present all necessary care and services to people with disabilities, according to Petra.

He noted that the ministry cooperates with the National Aid Fund that provides monthly financial assistance to 15,000 individuals, adding that the ministry presents care services to people suffering from severe mental illnesses through five centres in Jerash, Karak, Dulail, Tafileh and Ruseifa.

Ratrout added that the ministry also presents services to people with mild and medium mental illnesses through 16 branches of the Manar Centre.

In her message on the occasion, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay said that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promises to “leave no one behind”, stressing that development will not be sustainable if it is not inclusive.

She stated that progress has little meaning if it is not shared between all.

“The rights and concerns of persons with disabilities must stand at the heart of every effort to bolster the resilience of societies against the pressures of change and enable every woman and man to make the most of its opportunities,” Azoulay was quoted as saying on UNESCO website.