Arab Agreement on the Rehabilitation and Employment of the Disabled

The Arab Agreement on the Rehabilitation and Employment of the Disabled of 1993 followed from the realization by Arab States of the need to integrate persons with disabilities into the workforce in order to use their productive capacity. Habilitating and rehabilitating persons with disabilities and securing jobs for them are the cornerstones of the Agreement’s strategy aimed at integrating them in the labour force. 

The right to habilitation and rehabilitation translates into the need for Arab Governments to coordinate and collaborate with employers and employees in putting forward special habilitation and rehabilitation policies for persons with disabilities. The Agreement underlines, for example, the need to train counsellors to work with persons with disabilities.

The Agreement also addresses various facets of an employment strategy for persons with disabilities; and underscores issues of availability, accessibility and adaptability of job opportunities and services aimed at facilitating the employment of persons with disabilities.  The Agreement states, for example, the need to establish a quota system whereby a percentage of jobs are made available for persons with disabilities in governmental and non-governmental institutions. Additionally, it underlines the need to make the work environment accessible and adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities by, among others, providing adequate public transportation and modifying work establishments.

In combination, these three documents provide clear standards and a framework of action for the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities. As mentioned above, Jordan has ratified the three conventions and is therefore committed to enhancing the rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities. It is worth turning to the Jordanian national legislations and social policies in the fields of education, health, employment and social protection, to understand and better gauge their ability to enhance the security and well-being of this vulnerable group.