Disability in Jordan

Response

COVID-19 and social policy in contexts of existing inequality: experiences of youth with disabilities. “The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the marginalisation of adolescents and young people with disabilities [...] as health, education and social protection systems have been slow to mobilise targeted support and address social exclusion.” (2022, Disability and Society)

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Overview

Language in Medical Worlds: Hearing Technology for Deaf Jordanian Children "The focus on the acquisition of orality and speech for deaf Jordanians, to the exclusion of other forms of language and communication, can result in deaf Jordanian children not being able to communicate—in any modality—as well as their having a diminished sense of belonging to broader deaf collectivities." (2022, Medical Anthropology)

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Sign Languages

“Mother tongue” or “broken Arabic”: Competing discourses about Jordanian Sign Language (LIU) in Amman:

‘I argue that these contradictory discourses can be productively read as forms of rhetoric: for instance, calling LIU the “mother tongue” of deaf Jordanians, rooted in its materiality, is a way for the start-up staff to convince audiences to support their cause, while describing LIU as “broken Arabic,” while incorrect, is useful insofar as it asks students of sign language not to sign in conformity to Arabic grammar.’ (May, Linguistic Anthropology)

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Government update on use of the Washington Group questions in the census and other surveys. (link to pdf, 2022, United Nations Statistical Commission)

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Education that excludes no-one: Jordan swaps debt to integrate children with disabilities into schools. (In Arabic, Apr, AlJazeera)

Jordan launches inclusive education campaign to promote equality, accessibility for all students. (Jan, Jordan Times)

A video of a teacher slapping a child with disabilities at a disability centre causes outcry on social media. (In Arabic, 2024, BBC)

Jordanian parents challenge government policy on disabled children. (2023, Raseef 22)

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Breaking barriers through green employment. “The inspiring journeys of Samah, Tahani, and Najwa demonstrate how green employment can provide individuals with the tools to improve their lives and contribute to society.” (Mar, ILO)

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Health and reproductive services are not available to women with disabilities report of a study. (In Arabic, 2024, Mena FN)

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Park in honour of disability activist Aya Agabi inaugurated in Abdali.

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Jordan’s sole refuge for people with disabilities risk closure as COVID-19 dries up donations (2022, Global Voices)

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‘Amman is a prison’: Rise in suicides highlights mental health crisis in Jordan: ‘Instead of addressing the structural problems, the government is trying to punish and repress the symptoms of the crisis.’ (2022, The New Humanitarian)

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Accessibility issues remain a barrier at Jordan’s tourist attractions (2023, Jordan Times)

People with disabilities see long road ahead to accessible public transport (2022, Jordan Times)

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Jordan stands out as a regional leader on disability rights. Celebrating a “sophisticated body of law” and calling for actions to address inequalities and exclusion. (2022, Gerard Quinn)

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Discussion of participation of disabled people in parties and elections (2024, Jordan News Agency)

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