Amman: His Royal Highness Prince Mired bin Raad, Chief Chamberlain and President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, met on Wednesday with Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs Hanine El-Sayed at the Council’s headquarters. The meeting, attended by Jordan’s Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging expertise to enhance social protection systems for persons with disabilities.
According to Jordan News Agency, Prince Mired highlighted Jordan’s achievements in prioritizing disability rights at a national level while acknowledging ongoing challenges. He emphasized the Council’s efforts in addressing these challenges in collaboration with various institutions. Minister El-Sayed commended Jordan’s experience in reinforcing social protection frameworks and its efforts to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities and integrate them into society.
Minister Bani Mustafa reaffirmed that disability rights are crucial for sustainable development and social justice, underscoring the importance of regional collaboration and exchanging best practices, particularly in advancing disability inclusion. During the meeting, the Council’s Secretary-General, Muhannad Al-Azza, reviewed the Council’s role in developing and reviewing inclusive national policies, aligning legislation with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and providing technical support for model initiatives.
Al-Azza detailed legislative reforms, including the enactment of Law No. 20 of 2017, recognized as the region’s first anti-discrimination law, and key amendments to the Jordanian Constitution. Assistant Secretary-General for Technical Affairs, Ghadeer Al-Hares, showcased efforts to implement the Inclusive Education Strategy, aiming to integrate students with disabilities into the national education system, and highlighted training programs for teachers and curriculum modifications.
Al-Hares emphasized the establishment of the National Academy for Inclusive Education as a transformative step in creating equitable, accessible learning environments. The academy was a key outcome of Jordan’s commitments at the third Global Disability Summit, reflecting the country’s leadership in formulating the “Amman-Berlin Declaration.”
The meeting also addressed Jordan’s role in promoting accessible tourism, enhancing social protection measures, and the Ministry of Social Development’s efforts with the Council to transition from institutional care to inclusive day services for persons with disabilities.