Introduction

Persons with disabilities are an integral part of society, regardless of the causes and effects of their disability. Global interest in and awareness of disability issues have increased with the issuance of documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1975 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which incorporate the principles of social inclusion, participation and equal opportunities and constitute an international roadmap guiding all plans and strategies aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities and ensuring their access to public services such as education and health care. Concerted efforts are needed to devise non-traditional methods of social rehabilitation, including independent living programmes.[1]

Independent living can only be achieved through social protection, social inclusion and social empowerment that leads to the independence of persons with disabilities in society while minimizing risk and maximizing the accessibility and affordability of public services so that they are able to make decisions on matters that concern them and their lives.

Whatever form social inclusion and rehabilitation services take, they must include helping persons with disabilities to become independent in their daily lives by teaching them self-reliance, training them in mobility, and providing them with devices and equipment that support their independence, such as wheelchairs and hearing aids. There must also be a focus on training the families concerned and society on how to engage with persons with disabilities, as well as on the use of the media to promote this.[2]

Social empowerment is at the core of the rights of persons with disabilities. It involves building their social, educational and economic capabilities and helping them acquire skills, knowledge and abilities that will enable them to participate positively and effectively in various activities and life events. Empowerment must include changing societal attitudes towards this group and refraining from describing the group as “helpless, alone or deficient” or pitying them.[3]

Oman has paid considerable attention to this issue, both in terms of securing legal protection through a range of legislation and in terms of care services, with the Ministry of Social Development in particular working to achieve social inclusion by offering a package of rehabilitation programmes and special services to help this group adapt socially.

However, legal provisions and legislation on independent living come up against a societal obstacle in the form of the prevailing perception that these persons are unable to rely on themselves. However, the relevant authorities, civil society institutions, international institutions and community-based initiatives are continuing their efforts to promote the concept of independent living in supportive communities that facilitate the integration process.

[2]       المرجع نفسه، ص. 87.

[3]       عبدالحميد، 2017.