Amman: The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), in collaboration with UNESCO, organized a dialogue workshop to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. The event, titled "Enhancing Leadership in Light of National Commitments," aimed to strengthen the leadership roles of persons with disabilities and review Jordan's commitments to disability rights made at the Global Disability Summit.
According to Jordan News Agency, the workshop saw the participation of government officials and private-sector partners, focusing on empowering individuals with disabilities to drive social progress. UNESCO Education Section Chief Tab Raj Pant emphasized that societal barriers, not disabilities, hinder progress, and inclusion is vital for sustainable development. He highlighted that one billion people globally live with disabilities, often without equal opportunities, and stressed UNESCO's commitment to ensuring accessibility across sectors.
Pant praised Jordan for translating commitments into practical initiatives, particularly in education, to empower children with disabilities and ensure their participation in public life and decision-making. HCD's Director of Capacity Development and Research Unit, Zaid Attari, reiterated the council's goal of achieving inclusion and transitioning to a rights-based approach to ensure equal access to rights for persons with disabilities.
The workshop included a dialogue session with inspiring figures such as Senator Asia Yaghi, who underscored the importance of education and awareness, and Shaman Al-Majali, a distinguished employee awarded for excellence, who shared his personal experience overcoming challenges as a person with a disability. Rawan Barakat, Chair of the Raneen Foundation, and Saleh Nasser, founder of the "Qaderoon" project, also shared their initiatives aimed at inclusive education and employment opportunities for disabled youth.
Murtada Obaidat, Director of a project promoting disability rights, outlined national commitments and follow-up mechanisms, with 60 institutions submitting implementation plans. The workshop's second session, "Turning Commitments into Action," featured leaders from educational, banking, and telecommunications sectors discussing institutional inclusivity and progress in overcoming challenges.