Seminar advocates for enhanced rights, inclusion of persons with disabilities in Jordan

AMMAN — The Solidarity is Global Institute (SIGI), in collaboration with the "I am Human" Association for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has hosted a seminar titled "Reading the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" to advocate for their rights and address key challenges they face across various sectors.

The seminar focused on legal frameworks and policies aimed at improving the conditions of persons with disabilities in Jordan, fostering their active participation in society, and promoting social justice, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The event was attended by Head of the Senate's Committee for Persons with Disabilities Senator Asia Yaghi, Assistant to the President of the Senate Firas Abu Fares and 20 participants, including members of the association’s legal team, lawyers, and a representative from the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Yaghi underscored the need to review executive plans to ensure the protection of persons with disabilities, highlighting the importance of amending certain policies to enhance their role in society. 

She also outlined key provisions of the law and the obstacles faced by persons with disabilities in different sectors.

Attorney Enaam Asha, executive director and advisor to the association, stressed the necessity of collaboration between government institutions and civil society organisations to create an inclusive environment that upholds the rights of persons with disabilities. 

She highlighted that achieving social justice requires intensified efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the law.

The seminar concluded with several recommendations, including increasing awareness campaigns on the law, enhancing electoral participation for persons with disabilities, raising their employment quota in the labour market to at least 4 per cent, and imposing stricter penalties on institutions that fail to meet employment obligations.

Other recommendations included incorporating binding legal provisions in the Civil Service Law to guarantee appointments in the public sector, designating a national day for persons with disabilities, offering incentives for companies that hire them, streamlining procedures for obtaining identification cards, improving the quality of services in shelters, and reviewing medical cases such as polio-related disabilities.

The seminar was held as part of the "Safe Pathways – Policies to Combat Violence in the Workplace and World" project, implemented by the association with support from the African Women’s Development Fund, in an effort to promote the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure their full integration into society.