Disability in Iraq

War is devastating – but for the disabled and their families, it is a unique horror “My family’s experience in the Iran-Iraq conflict gave me an insight into what many disabled Palestinians experience today:”

“I remember clearly when the sirens sounded my mother would gather us all in one room, away from the windows. Electricity would be cut and then we would huddle together and wait for the planes or rockets to be shot or driven away. My siblings and I did not fully understand the gravity of the situation – another beautiful aspect of being a child – we enjoyed the adventure and excitement without the fear that adults carried.” (2023, National News)

Social Protection

Launch of new initiatives to support people with disabilities. (In Arabic, Feb, Iraqi News Agency)

Iraqis with Disabilities Excluded from Jobs Persistent Failure to Ensure Right to Work; Quotas Unfilled. See also a short video.

“Legal promises to employ people with disabilities in Iraq are not translating into real job opportunities,” said Sarah Sanbar, Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The gap between law and practice leaves hundreds of thousands of Iraqis with disabilities struggling to earn a living.” (Jun, Human Rights Watch)

Empowerment and jobs platform for people with disabilities an electronic portal launched by government. (2023, Ur Portal)

Fact sheet on Accessible documents for persons with vision impairments and persons with low vision in Iraq. (2022, IOM)

Testimonials from the Bridge CRPD-SDGs Training "I have never seen a training so inclusive". Everything I've heard from people that have gone through this training around the world is extremely positive. (2021, IDA)

The inspiring journey of Chawan a 33-year-old from Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. (Mar, Iraq)

Understanding Gender-Based Violence Service Barriers to Disability and Older Age Inclusion in Iraq. (2022, Heartland Alliance) See also the blog on inclusive research methodologies.