Primary Findings

Despite providing beneficial services to persons with disabilities, this state-owned residential center in Jordan did not support the meaningful participation of residents in the local environment or assist in transitions to independent living. Regardless of the quality of facilities and care provided, it is necessary to recognize that residential institutions do not advance the right to community life, and thus stand against the implementation of Article 19. 

The observation of this center shed light on the complex role of the families of persons with disabilities throughout institutionalization process. The necessity of familial involvement was reiterated by caregivers, who felt a lack of communication between families and staff negatively impacted the lives of residents in the institution. While caregivers spoke of feeling unsupported by families, parents of residents mentioned feeling ill-equipped to adequately attend to the needs of their children with disabilities.  A father of a female resident who had been institutionalized for 15 years spoke of wanting to bring his daughter home so she could live with her siblings, but lacking both the financial resources and knowledge of her care routine (such as diaper changing and preparing certain foods) necessary to do so.  Parents also mentioned fearing that their children would be mocked and ridiculed outside the institution, reiterating social stigma as a central barrier to deinstitutionalization. 

This case study provided additional insight into the relationship between public residential institutions and the Jordan’s Ministry of Social Development. Costs were entirely covered by the Government, and the Ministry oversaw disability assessment and admittance procedures, though staff members claimed incorrect determinations were common. According to the director of the institution, the only pathway to deinstitutionalization was through a Ministry assessment of the resident and their family. 

Persons with disabilities in the institution consistently mentioned a desire to gain autonomy through employment. Vocational education had previously been offered in the institution, but was discontinued following a Ministry reclassification of the institution as a training center for university students in 2017. While residents generally expressed an appreciation of the institution, these statements were occasionally followed by references to a lack of other options. As one resident put it, “I like to stay at the center. I have no place else to go.”