Workshop sensitises public sector on rights of people with disabilities

AMMAN — Representatives from the government sector began a three-day inclusive workshop in Amman on Monday to ensure more rights for people with disabilities (PwD).

Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) Secretary General Muhanned Azzeh, who spoke during the opening ceremony, told the trainees that the workshop “will work to raise the awareness of the public sector’s employees regarding the importance of ensuring full rights for persons with disabilities”.

“When applying for jobs, people usually provide proof that they are fit for the job, but in people with disabilities' case they need extra support to be able to cope with any job in the market,” Azzeh said.

Having said that, Azzeh added, “this does not mean in any way that PwD should be granted job because of their condition”.

“What we want here is to ensure that all barriers that would stand in their way were eliminated and that they have the proper facilities and environment to do their jobs,” Azzeh stressed.

The event was organised by the Arab Network for Civic Education (ANHRE) in partnership with HCD and the Prime Ministry and is supported by the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative.

Government coordinator for human rights Khalil Abdullat, who acted as patron for the opening ceremony, stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving the rights of people with disabilities.

“His Majesty King Abdullah, HH Prince Mired Bin Raed, who is the president of the HCD and the government have put the rights of people with disabilities as a top priority,” Abdullat told the trainees.

Abdullat added that the efforts towards securing more rights for people with disabilities included issuing a new law as well as implementing the national plans and strategies to contribute in securing more rights for them.

Abdullat also pointed out the 10-year plan to make Jordan fully accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities by 2027, which focuses on implementing laws and strategies that will work to better their lives.

In 2017, the government passed the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which stipulates that the government should incorporate the needs and rights of people with disabilities in their programmes and plans, while intensifying the oversight system, especially in disability care centres.

Meanwhile, ANHRE Executive Director Fotouh Younis said this is the first of a series of workshops targeting the public institutions, including the ministries, the Central Bank of Jordan and other government entities.

“We are targeting the employees in these government institutions who are in charge of applying the legislation, policies and measures in the public sphere,” Younis told The Jordan Times.

The aim, Younis added, is to ensure a suitable and adequate work environment for people with disabilities, and to ensure that the law passed recently is being implemented properly in accordance with human rights values.

The project will be implemented in several stages involving awareness and advocacy campaigns, as well as capacity-building workshops targeting government and private sector stakeholders in order to facilitate their compliance with the new laws and increase work accessibility for people with disabilities, according to an ANHRE statement.

Workshops will also be held for employees with disabilities to educate them about their rights to an accessible working environment, as well as for employers to educate them about the new regulations and how to make their workplace more accessible.