The Disability Rights Law is an integral part of the Jordanian legislative system.

Allocating a National Day for persons with disabilities contributes to raising awareness and enhancing the rights of this group, which constitutes 13% of the society.

In celebration of the International Day of Social Justice, which falls on February 20th each year and serves as an occasion to emphasize the fair and just rights of persons with disabilities, the Jordanian Women's Solidarity Institute, in cooperation with the "I Am Human" Association for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, held a panel discussion titled "A Review of the Disability Rights Law" on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025.

This seminar is part of the association's efforts to highlight the laws and policies aimed at improving the conditions of persons with disabilities in Jordan, as well as enhancing their active participation in society in line with social justice.

The meeting was attended by Her Excellency, Senator Asia Yaghi, Chair of the Disability Committee in the Senate, His Excellency Dr. Zohair Abu Faris, Assistant to the President of the Senate, in addition to 20 participants from the association’s legal team and several lawyers, as well as a representative from the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities.

In her intervention, Her Excellency Senator Asia Yaghi addressed the key provisions of the "Disability Rights Law" and discussed the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in areas such as education, health, employment, mobility, and social integration. She also emphasized the need to reconsider the executive plans of many government and private institutions to ensure the protection of the rights of this group and shield them from exploitation and marginalization.

For her part, Mrs. Inam Al-Asha, the Executive Director and Advisor of “SIGI” emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between governmental and non-governmental institutions to provide a supportive environment that empowers persons with disabilities and ensures their full rights without any exception or discrimination.

The materials of the "Disability Rights Law" were also reviewed during the seminar, and participants discussed the mechanisms for implementing the law, as well as some of the gaps that negatively affect persons with disabilities. The seminar concluded with a number of recommendations and proposals that will contribute to improving the implementation of the law and expanding the scope of rights for this group in society. Below are the key recommendations and proposals:

1. Raising Awareness About the Law: Intensify awareness efforts to familiarize citizens with the provisions of the law and ensure its effective implementation on the ground, along with guarantees for its active enforcement.

2. Enhancing Electoral Participation: It is essential to strengthen the concept of citizenship by facilitating the necessary arrangements for persons with disabilities to ensure their active participation in the electoral process.

3. Amending the Employment Quota for Persons with Disabilities: Amend the Labor Law to set a minimum employment quota for persons with disabilities at 4%, with clear regulations on the upper limit.

4. Regulating the Role of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities: Clearly define and organize the role of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities to ensure that its responsibilities do not overlap with those of other entities and institutions.

5. Strengthening Penalties: Increase the penalties imposed on employers who fail to comply with the employment quota specified in the Labor Law, as the current penalty (100 Jordanian Dinars) is insufficient to achieve the required deterrence.

6. Regulating the Work of Committees: It is necessary for the law to include clear provisions regulating the work of specialized committees, so that implementation does not rely on individual interpretations that may lead to inconsistencies in application.

7. Expediting the Issuance of Identification Cards: It is important to simplify the procedures related to issuing identification cards for persons with disabilities to save time and effort.

8. Adding a Binding Clause in the Civil Service Law: Introduce a binding legal provision in the Civil Service Law to ensure the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector.

9. Encouraging Companies through Incentives: It is essential to provide incentives and rewards to companies that comply with the employment quota for persons with disabilities, as stipulated by law.

10. Providing Job Opportunities for Families of Persons with Disabilities: Add a legal provision that offers employment opportunities to the families of persons with disabilities, ensuring flexibility for employees who are caregivers for their disabled relatives, and protecting them from job termination due to their caregiving responsibilities. 

11.  Reviewing the Philosophy of Care Institutions: It is important to conduct a statistical study to gather the opinions of families regarding the elimination of permanent care institutions, with the possibility of amending the law based on the results.

12.  Designating a National Day for Persons with Disabilities: Launch a campaign in collaboration with various institutions to designate a National Day for Persons with Disabilities, aiming to raise awareness and enhance the rights of this group, which constitutes 13% of the society.

13.  Reviewing Medical Errors: Open a discussion on medical errors that lead to cases like polio, including preventive measures and appropriate compensations.

14.  Defining the Role of Human Rights Associations: The article related to associations concerned with the rights of persons with disabilities should be reviewed, specifying the required number of persons with disabilities in these associations.

15.  Imposing Penalties on Non-Compliant Institutions: Add penalties for institutions that fail to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, ensuring they have an appropriate working environment.

16.   Amending the Concept of Justice in the Law: It is essential to modify the term "justice" in Article 2 of the law to "actual equality," in line with the rights granted to persons with disabilities.

17.  Adding an Amendment to Article 27: Paragraph (A) of Article 27 should be amended to include the phrase "without prior consent or notification," ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities to receive necessary information and approval.

18.  Affirming that the Disability Rights Law is an Integral Part of the Jordanian Legislative System: The law should be viewed as an essential part of Jordan's legal framework, which both official and non-official entities, including civil society, must work to implement in the best way to protect and serve persons with disabilities.

19.  Addressing Real Challenges Faced by Persons with Disabilities: Persons with disabilities face significant challenges in various aspects of life, including employment, education, transportation, social integration, and sometimes even within their own families.

20.   Emphasizing Joint Efforts and Strengthening Cooperation: Reinforce cooperation between official entities and all civil society organizations to enhance the rights of persons with disabilities and support their active participation without discrimination.

It is worth noting that the seminar is part of the "Masahat Aminah- Policies to Combat Violence in the Environment and the World" project, which is being implemented by SIGI with support from The African Women's Development Fund (AWDF).