Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities No. 20 for the Year 2017

The following words and phrases, wherever mentioned hereinafter, shall have the meanings ascribed thereto hereunder, unless the context provides otherwise:

• Council: Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees of the Council formed in accordance with the provisions of this law.
• President: President of the Council  Article
• Secretary-General: Secretary-General of the Council
• Identification Card: The ID Card issued by the Council in accordance with the provisions of this Law to reflect the nature and degree of the disability.
• Discrimination on the Basis of Disability: Every limitation, restriction, exclusion, nullification or denial either direct or indirect due to disability of any rights or freedoms stated in this Law or in any other Law, and that constitutes discrimination on the basis of disability and reluctance to provide reasonable accommodation contrary to the provisions of this Law.
• Free and Informed Consent: The agreement or acceptance of a person with a disability or his/her legal designate toward every action, procedure, or legal measure to be taken regarding their rights or freedoms after being notified, in a way that he or she understands the content, results, and impacts thereof.
• Reasonable Accommodation: The alteration of the environment or time-related conditions within a specific context of time or place to enable the person with a disability to practice a right and freedom, or to gain access to services on an equal basis with others.
• Accessible Formats: The transformation of information, data, pictures, drawings and other classified items to Braille, or large print, or the transformation of information into electronic or audio formats, or translating into Sign language, or using simplified language, or clarifying the information in any other manner without making any change in the essence or meaning in order to enable persons with disabilities to review and understand the issue. 
• Accessibility: The construction of buildings, roads, facilities, and other public and private sector venues in a way that is accessible to all the public, and making adjustments in accordance with the Building Code Requirements for Persons with Disabilities as issued in the provisions of the Jordan National Building Code and any other special standards issued or approved by the Council. 
• Universal Design: The adjustment of goods and services in their initial phases of design and production to allow for utilization of such services and goods in a manner accessible to everyone.
• Disabled People’s Organizations: The societies, clubs, federations, non-profit companies and other non-government entities registered and licensed according to the provisions of legislation in effect and whose board of directors mainly consists of persons with disabilities one of whom presides such board. These organizations are intended to reinforce the rights or enablement or facilitate access to services or implement disability-related programs.  
• Educational Institution: The government and non-government institutions according to the provisions of the Education Law, and Special Education Centers and Societies which provide educational services or programs to persons with disabilities regardless of their authority of licensing or registration.

1. For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Law, a person with a disability is defined as a person who has long-term physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, psychological or neurological impairment, which, as a result of interaction with other physical and behavioral barriers, may hinder performance by such person of one of the major life activities or hinder the exercise by such person of any right or basic freedom independently.
2. An impairment will be considered of a long-term nature according to Clause (a) of this Article if the impairment is not expected to disappear in at least (24) months from the date of commencement of treatment or of rehabilitation.
3. Physical obstacles and behavioral barriers mentioned in Clause (a) of this Article include lack or absence of reasonable accommodation or accessible formats or accessibility, and also include individual behaviors and discriminative institutional practices on the basis of disability.
4. Major life activities mentioned in Clause (a) of this Article include the following:
   1. Eating, drinking, administering, self- care, reading and writing.
   2. Movement and mobility.
   3. Interaction and concentration, expression and verbal, visual and written communication.
   4. Learning, rehabilitation and training.
   5. Work.

The following principles shall be taken into consideration in implementing this Law: 

1. The respect for the inherent rights and dignity, individual autonomy and freedom of choice of persons with disabilities.
2. The participation of persons with disabilities and their organizations in policymaking, drawing up plans, programs, and decision-making operations related to them.
3. Not to discriminate against persons with disabilities on the basis of, or because of, disability.
4. The acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and difference.
5. The inclusion of the rights and issues of persons with disabilities into national policies, strategies, plans, and programs as well as the state budget.
6. Equality between men and women with disabilities in terms of rights and duties.
7. Equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
8. To ensure the rights of children with disabilities, develop their abilities and skills, and enhance their inclusion and participation in the community.
9. To ensure that reasonable accommodation and accessible formats, accessibility and universal design are provided to persons with disabilities on the grounds that these constitute the perquisite requirements needed for exercising their fundamental freedoms and rights.
10. The removal of physical and behavioral barriers for persons with disabilities, that include a lack or absence of reasonable accommodation or accessible formats or accessibility as well as individual and institutional behaviors and discriminatory practices on the basis of disability.

1. It is impermissible to deprive any person of his/her rights or freedoms or to restrict enjoyment or practice thereof. It is also impermissible to restrict any person’s freedom to take decisions on the basis of, or because of, disability.
2. Notwithstanding any provision within any other legislation, a disability in itself will not be an obstacle towards considering the person as being fit in terms of health for employment, learning, and practicing all rights and freedoms determined according to the provisions of this Law or any other legislation, as long as he or she meets the requirements stipulated in said legislation.
3. No medical or scientific or pharmaceutical experiments, research, or studies may be conducted on persons with disabilities. Nor may any medical intervention be done either for treatment or prevention except in emergency and urgent cases and without such persons’ free and informed consent.
4. It is imperative to take into consideration the volume of financial, technical, and human resources of non-government employers who are bound to provide reasonable accommodation in light of the decisions made by the Equal Opportunities Committee according to the provisions of this Law.
5. Notwithstanding provisions in any other legislation, admission of the unemployed person with a disability to any rehabilitation or care program, or such person’s obtainment of a pension salary or of a share thereof less than the aid benefit, or benefit from any exemption stipulated in this Law may not lead to continued benefit from repeated cash aid and from other forms of cash support extended by the National Aid Fund.

1. It is required as a condition for granting total or partial exemptions or for benefiting from quotas assigned for employment and exceptions related to rules for admission into the different educational institutions  and other exceptions determined for persons with disabilities according to the provisions of this Law or of any other legislation that a person should be a holder of the relevant ID Card.
2. The ID Card may not be issued to persons with temporary disabilities whose disability is expected to recede within (24) months from the date of commencement of treatment or of rehabilitation. Nevertheless, these persons will continue to enjoy specific measures pertaining to protection against discrimination, violence, and exploitation according to the provisions of this Law, and may also benefit from reasonable accommodation, accessibility, accessible formats and rehabilitation services to the extent that they can practice one of the basic life activities, or rights or one of the basic freedoms according to the decision made by the Council and related authorities.

1. A council called, “The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” shall be established in the Kingdom and will be of a legal status and will have financial and administrative independence, and may in this capacity perform all legal transactions needed to achieve its objectives, own movable and immovable property. The Council will be entitled to prosecute and shall be represented in terms of judicial procedures by the General Civil Attorney or any other attorney designated for this purpose.
2. The Council shall be headquartered in the city of Amman, and the Council may open branches and establish offices anywhere in the Kingdom.

The Council will be entrusted with the following functions and jurisdictions:

1. Propose public policy on the rights of persons with disabilities and their access to different services to be submitted to the Council of Ministers for adoption and the formulation of action plans in this regard for the purpose of implementation.
2. Propose new laws and regulations in line with the Council’s mandate.
3. Provide technical support to the relevant ministries and public sector institutions in drawing up their strategies, plans, and programs in order to ensure that they address the rights of persons with disabilities.
4. Coordinate with the ministries, government authorities, and national institutions in order to define the roles and specializations of each in the field of disability and to determine methods of exchanging information and expertise, in a manner that will integrate the efforts of all involved.
5. Follow-up and monitor implementation by the relevant authorities of the provisions of this Law and related national strategies and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
6. Monitor the conditions of persons with disabilities and their rights at the national level, and ascertain individual and institutional complaints related to discrimination on the basis of, or because of, disability.
7. Issue the standards stipulated in this Law and deliver training thereon, and monitor the extent to which the relevant authorities implement these standards.
8. Conduct comprehensive and specialized surveys and studies on persons with disabilities, and assess the services provided to them, as well as the extent to which they have access to these services. This will be executed in coordination with the relevant authorities.
9. Sign agreements and memorandums of understanding with government and non-government organizations and follow-up on the implementation thereof.
10. Form permanent and temporary committees, approve the results and outputs of their work, and determine their members’ remunerations according to legislation in effect.

1. The Council will issue an annual report on the conditions of persons with disabilities in the Kingdom indicating the following:
   1. Accomplishments attained at the national level in the field of reinforcing the rights of persons with disabilities and on inclusion thereof and their access to public services.
   2. Challenges encountered in implementing relevant national policies, strategies, and legislation.
   3. The extent to which different government authorities implement the national policy drawn up by the Council and the provisions of this Law, and the extent of their compliance with the contents of agreements and memorandums of understanding signed with them.
   4. Complaints and violations detected and how to handle them.
   5. Recommendations at the level of policies, legislation, and practices for improving performance and upgrading the quality of services.
2. For purposes of issuing the report stipulated in Clause (a) of this Article, and implement the tasks and authorities stipulated in Article (8) of this Law, the Board of Trustees may through the President call the ministers, secretary-generals, and other State employees related to Council’s functions to discuss and inquire, and to present proposals to them and to coordinate work with them, and may request any information or data, or statistics from the relevant authorities which have to respond to request promptly and without delay.
3. The President will submit the annual report stipulated in this Article to the Prime Minister, the Head of the House of Senate and the Head of the House of Representatives, and it shall also be published to the public.

1. The President will be appointed by a Royal Decree upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
2. The President will assume the following tasks and authorities:
   1. Follow-up on implementing the Council’s public policy.
   2. Represent the Council before the different establishments.
   3. Sign agreements, memos, and contracts concluded between the Council and other authorities.
   4. Carry out the authorities vested in him according to the provisions of legislation and regulations in effect.
3. The Secretary-General will undertake the President’s authorities in case of his absence.
4. The President may delegate to the Secretary-General any of his authorities provided that such delegation will be in writing, specific, and temporary.

The Council shall be overseen by a “Board of Trustees” of no more than (25) members including the President who will preside over the Board of Trustees provided that the remaining members will be appointed according to a decision made by the Council of Ministers upon the recommendation of the President in accordance with the following constraints:

1. At least nine members who are persons with disabilities provided that the candidate for appointment:
   1. Is a Jordanian national.
   2. Has completed eighteen years of age.
   3. Has at the minimum one-year of continuous experience in one of the relevant tasks entrusted to the Council.
2. Three members representing families of the persons with disabilities provided that the candidate for appointment:
   1. Is a Jordanian national.
   2.  Has completed eighteen years of age.
   3. Is the father or mother or first-degree relative of a person with a disability.
   4. Has at the minimum one-year of continuous experience in one of the relevant tasks entrusted to the Council.
3. Eight members who are experts and specialists provided that the candidate for appointment:
   1. Is a Jordanian national.
   2. Has completed eighteen years of age.
   3. Is a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Law or Human Rights or Planning or Management or Social Work, or in any other specialization of relevance to the Council’s tasks.
   4. Has at the minimum three-years of continuous experience in one of the relevant tasks entrusted to the Council.
4. In regards to candidates for Council membership stipulated in Clause (a) of this Article, it is necessary to take into consideration that they represent the different disabilities, Disabled People’s Organizations, employees, workers, women and students.
   1. With the exception of the President, the Board of Trustees will serve a four-year term renewable once only in accordance with a decision made by the Council of Ministers on the basis of a recommendation by the President. Membership of any member may be terminated in a way similar to that of appointment. But if the member represents students with disabilities, his/her membership may not be renewed.
   2. The Board of Trustees will select one of its members as Vice-President to carry out his/her duties in his/her absence.

1. The Board of Trustees will assume the following functions and authorities:
   1. Approve the Council’s public policy and follow-up on implementation thereof.
   2. Study and approve the Council’s annual work plan.
   3. Study and approve the Council’s annual report.
   4. Discuss the matters and issues referred to it by both the President and the Secretary-General, and take appropriate decisions concerning them.
   5. Network with Disabled People’s Organizations, civil society, and service providers, and strengthen the Council’s relations with them.
   6. Provide technical support for preparing the strategies and plans to be drawn up by the Council.
   7. Study and approve instructions on the Council’s progress of work, its committees, and different branches.
   8. Study and approve proposed laws and regulations drawn up by the Council and take appropriate decisions in their regard.
   9. Approve the Council’s General Draft Budget and final financial accounts.
   10. Present proposals intended to enhance the rights of the persons with disabilities and to improve the Council’s work.
2. The Board of Trustees will meet upon invitation by the President or the Vice-President once every two months, and as needed, and its meetings will be legal if attended by two-thirds of its members provided that they will include the President or the Vice-President. Decisions shall be taken on the basis of majority of votes of attending members.
3. The Board of Trustees may delegate any one of its authorities to the President or to a Board member or to anyone of the committees formed by the Board provided that the delegation will be in writing, specific, and temporary.

1. The Secretary-General is appointed upon a decision by the Council of Ministers based on the recommendation of the President and his/her financial package is to be clearly stipulated in the appointment decision.
2. The Secretary-General will be responsible of the following tasks and authorities.
3. Implement (administrative and financial) decisions issued by the Board of Trustees and the President.
4. Manage the Council’s executive personnel and oversee Council’s employees and workers
5. Prepare the internal organizational structure and submit to the Board of Trustees for approval.
6. Prepare the estimated annual draft budget, and submit to the Board of Trustees at least two months prior to the beginning of the fiscal year for approval.
7. Prepare the annual final account audited and submit to the Board of Trustees in two months from the date of expiry of the fiscal year for approval.
8. Oversee preparation of the Council’s annual report. Oversee the work of permanent and temporary committees and follow-up on the progress of their work.
9. Any other tasks or authorities assigned by the President.

1. A committee called the “Equal Opportunities Committee” shall be formed under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General and with the following as its members:
   1. A representative of Ministry of Labor.
   2. A representative of the Civil Service Bureau.
   3. A representative of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.
   4. A representative of the Jordan Chamber of Industry.
   5. A representative of the Federation of Jordan Trade Unions.
   6. Three representatives from the private sector.
   7. Three persons with disabilities who are experts with experiences related to Committee’s tasks.
   8. A representative of the National Center for Human Rights to be named by the General Commissioner of the National Center for Human Rights.
2. Representatives in clauses (2-5) of paragraph (a) of this Article shall be named by the heads of their institutions.
3. Members stipulated for in clauses (6) and (7) of paragraph (a) of this Article shall be named by the President.
4. The Equal Opportunities Committee will assume the following functions and authorities:
   1. Receive complaints related to discrimination on the basis of, or because of, disability in the field of work and ascertain and settle such complaints with the relevant authorities.
   2. Issue technical reports related to providing reasonable accommodation within the working environment, according to a request in writing by individuals or related labor authorities.
   3. Exchange information and expertise with the Ministry of Labor, Civil Service Bureau, Private Sector and other related authorities in order to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labor market.
   4. Cooperate with the Council, Ministry of Labor, Civil Service Bureau, and other labor authorities in issuing guidance directories and orientation bulletins on the requirements for reinforcing the rights of persons with disabilities at work.
   5. Any other tasks assigned by the President.
5. The Committee may seek the assistance of experts and specialists wherever necessary.
6. The Equal Opportunities Committee will meet upon invitation by the Chairman once a month and as necessary, and Committee meetings will be legal if attended by half of its members, and decisions shall be taken on the basis of the majority of attending members.
7. According to recommendation by the President, the Board of Trustees shall appoint out of the Equal Opportunities Committee members a vice-Chairman who will carry out the Chairman’s duties in the event of his absence. The period for assuming this position shall be two years, to be renewed once.
8. The Secretary-General will be the Equal Opportunities Committee rapporteur who will prepare for Committee meetings, prepare sessions minutes of meeting, oversee the complaints received, and issue notifications on the decisions made by such Committee.
9. The operational mechanism of the Equal Opportunities Committee shall be determined according to instructions to be issued by the Council including procedures for filing and documenting complaints, a mechanism for addressing notifications on the decisions issued by Committee, places where Committee meetings are held, Committee members’ and rapporteur’s remunerations, and experts whose assistance is sought by the Committee.

1. The Minister of Health shall approve medical authorities qualified to examine persons with disabilities and to issue medical reports showing the type, degree and nature of disability.
2. With the exception of persons with permanent disabilities, other persons with disabilities are re-examined in accordance with the instructions issued by the Minister of Health in coordination with the Council that these instructions include the preparation of medical reports, issuance and standards for diagnosis.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other legislation, disability diagnosis will be conducted in accordance with instructions issued by the Minister of Health in coordination with the Council.

1. The Council shall issue an identification (ID) card for persons with disabilities, granted in accordance with the following criteria :
   1. The applicant must be a Jordanian national.
   2. The ID Card must include the personal information data of the holder, a photograph of the holder, and the type, nature and degree of disability.
2. The procedures will be duly determined regarding how medical reports are submitted and how requests for the ID Card are made. In addition a mechanism for issuing and renewing and issuing a substitute card in case of loss and/or for damaged cards and the relevant fees to be paid for such purposes, will be determined in accordance with instructions issued by the Council.

1. It is forbidden to exclude someone from any educational institution on the basis of, or because of, disability.
2. If a person with a disability cannot be enrolled in an academic institution due to the lack of reasonable accommodations or lack of accessible formats, or lack of accessibility, it is incumbent upon the Ministry of Education to find a suitable alternative, and to ensure the enrollment of the individual in another educational institution.
3. It is forbidden to prevent a person with a disability from studying an academic field of their choosing. It is also forbidden to fail or pass a person with disabilities automatically on the basis of, or because of, disability.

The Ministry of Education will, in coordination with the Council, execute the following:

1. Include into educational policies, strategies, plans and programs educational requirements for persons with disabilities to ensure the full enjoyment of their right to education and access to all educational programs, services, facilities, and institutions.
2. Guarantee the admission and enrollment of children with disabilities into educational institutions.
3. Provide reasonable accommodation and accessible formats within the government educational institutions, and to make certain that they are available within private educational institutions including examination questions and answers thereto in simplified language for students with intellectual disabilities, and granting additional time in examinations and any other necessary facilitations.
4. Revise the curricula and include therein subjects on the “Rights of Persons with Disabilities” and reinforcing acceptance of such persons as part of human diversity.
5. Draw up a comprehensive national plan for enrolling persons with disabilities into educational institutions in coordination with the Council and other related authorities, provided that work on the plan’s implementation shall commence in no later than one year from the date on which this Law goes into effect, and that implementation of this plan will be completed in no later than ten years.
6. Implement the standards stipulated in Article (19) of this Law in government educational institutions and oversee their implementation in non-government institutions.
7. Provide accessibility in all government educational institutions, and ascertain non-government educational institutions’ commitment to providing such accessibility. No licence may be granted for establishing any non-government educational institution unless accessibility is provided for.

The Council, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, shall draw up the standards for educational diagnosis, early intervention programs, curriculum development standards and related methodology for teaching students with disabilities within educational institutions, and training and qualifying cadres to teach such curricula according to the following constraints:

1. Attain the maximum academic potential for students with disabilities to the extent that will guarantee them reaching the highest levels of education.
2. Provide the optimal level of inclusive education for students with disabilities.
3. Implement modern educational methodology within educational institutions including special educational programs for students with intellectual disabilities and students with multiple disabilities provided that such programs are intended to achieve inclusion, develop students’ academic and social capacities, and reinforce their individual independence to the greatest extent possible.
4. Realize the optimal utilization of reasonable accommodation and accessible formats including accessible teaching aids, effective methods of communication, and occupational therapy.
5. Draw up mechanisms for assessing standards, and methods for following up on their implementation and modernization to ensure their continued efficiency and development.

a

1. It is conditional for individuals wishing to pursue careers in educational diagnosis and Special Education for persons with disabilities that they meet the requirements drawn up by the Council in coordination with the Ministry of Education and obtain an accredited certificate in accordance with instructions to be issued by the Minister of Education for this purpose.
2. It is incumbent upon employees working in the field of educational diagnosis and Special Education to enhance their qualifications and professional status to be in accordance with this Law within two years at the latest from the date on which this Law goes into effect, according to procedures determined by the Minister of Education.

   b.

1. The Ministry of Education, in coordination with the relevant authorities, will license educational institutions for people with disabilities and provide supervision.
2. The licensed educational institutions that have licences from other institutions prior to the enforcement of the provisions of this law, will alter and enhance their standards in accordance with the provisions of this Law within two years from the date on which it went into effect in accordance with the procedures established by the Minister of Education for this purpose.

No person may be excluded from higher education institutions or be denied the right to study any specializations available therein on the basis of, or because of, disability. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and educational institutions affiliated therewith will, in coordination with the Council, execute the following:

1. Mainstream the requirements for access to higher education for persons with disabilities in all relevant policies, strategies, plans and programs.
2. Provide reasonable accommodation, accessible formats, and accessibility to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to all available specializations.
3. Develop the rules for admission of students with disabilities to higher education institutions to the extent that guarantees respect for their choices and interests and without any form(s) of discrimination on the basis of, or because of, disability.

1. With due consideration to paragraph (b) of this Article, the maximum tuition fees that persons with disabilities will bear at a government higher education institution will be (10%) for the competitive system and (25%) for the parallel system.
2. Rules for exemption from tuition fees in higher education institutions shall be determined in accordance with the extra cost incurred by the person with a disability as a result of the lack of reasonable accommodation, lack of accessible formats or lack of accessibility according to instructions to be issued for this purpose by the Council of Higher Education in coordination with the Council.
3. In the event that the higher education institution proves to have provided reasonable accommodation and accessible formats along with accessibility for students with disabilities, the Council is required to ascertain such provision and should then recommend to the Higher Education Council to reduce the exemption to the extent that is equivalent to the accommodation and accessibility provided or to cancel the exemption in case of full compliance with the relevant approved standards.

The Ministry of Health, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other relevant authorities will each according to their area of competence execute the following in coordination with the Council:

1. Mainstream the requirements for access for persons with disabilities to health programs and services, as well as to food and drug information within the relevant policies, strategies, plans and programs.
2. Provide reasonable accommodation, accessible formats along with accessibility to hospitals and affiliated medical centers, and oblige non-governmental hospitals and medical centers to provide the same standards on the grounds that such accommodation and accessibility constitute one of the conditions for granting and renewing the licence.
3. Rectify the conditions at hospitals and medical centers that were established and licensed before this Law went into effect in order to be in compliance with this Law no later than (5) years from the date on which this Law has gone into effect according to procedures determined by the Minister of Health.
4. Qualify and train the medical, technical, and administrative personnel working at hospitals and medical centers in coordination with the Council in terms of methods and ways of communication with persons with disabilities in order to ensure that these persons will be able to explain and express their free and informed consent in relation to the medical interventions performed on them, and to ascertain access by the persons with disabilities to health services and programs.
5. Design and implement programs of early detection of disability at maternity and childhood centers and comprehensive health centers and programs of comprehensive diagnosis for persons with disabilities, and provide programs and services that will prevent the aggravation of their disabilities and related illnesses.
6. Provide programs in occupational therapy and licences thereof according to regulations stipulated by the Minister of Health for this purpose.
7. Deliver training to specialized personnel on methods of detecting cases of physical and psychological violence and abuse and how to handle them.
8. Provide reasonable accommodation and accessible formats to ensure access for women with disabilities to reproductive health programs and services that will enable them to fully benefit from them.
9. Ensure that all pharmaceutical, food, and health-related bulletins that are provided to the general public are also provided in accessible formats for persons with disabilities.

1. The Ministry of Health will issue no later than one year from the date on which this Law has gone into effect a Health Insurance Card for persons with disabilities who are holders of the ID Card according to instructions to be issued by the Minister of Health for this purpose, which will also include procedures for granting the Health Insurance Cards to persons with disabilities, and for renewals.
2. No fees for medical treatment or for medicines shall be collected from persons with disabilities holding the Health Insurance Card in accordance with the provisions of Clause (a) of this Article.
3. Persons with disabilities holding the Health Insurance Card in accordance with the provisions of Clause (a) of this Article shall be admitted to hospitals according to category two.
4. Civil health insurance permits persons with disabilities to receive all types of medical treatment and rehabilitation including:

1. Surgical operations, medicines, and vaccinations of all types.
2. Tools and assistive devices including prostheses, splints, hearing aids, medical spectacles and lenses.
3. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavioral and psychological counselling.

5. All conditions included in health or life insurance contracts that intend to exclude or deprive persons with disabilities of such contracts on the basis of, or because of, disability are to be rendered null and void.

1. No person may be excluded from employment or from training on the basis of, or because of, disability. Disability in itself should not be considered a barrier for preventing candidacy for holding or assuming a position or job and for retaining such position or job and attaining promotions therein.
2. It is forbidden for announcements of employment or job vacancies or forms related to candidacy or occupancy thereof to include provisions on the need to be free from disability.
3. Both of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training Corporation will, each according to their area of competence and in coordination with the Council, execute the following:            
   1. Include into the policies, strategies, plans, and programs of work, technical and vocational education and training and related curricula measures that will guarantee the inclusion of persons with disabilities, and will secure utilization thereof on an equal basis with others.
   2. Prepare the curricula and services extended within the vocational training programs and provide such services in formats accessible to persons with disabilities in a manner that enables them to benefit from such programs and services.
   3. Refrain from excluding persons with disabilities from training in any profession after accommodations have been made because of disability.
4. Both government and non-government authorities will provide reasonable accommodation to enable persons with disabilities to carry out their job or tasks and to retain their jobs and attain promotions therein.
5. Without undermining work or job requirements related to educational or professional qualifications, government and non-government organizations with at least (25) employees and workers and no more than (50) employees each pledge to hire at least one employee with disabilities to fill out one of its vacancies. In the event that there are more than (50) employees hired by these organizations, (4%) of the relevant vacancies should be assigned to persons with disabilities, according to a decision made by the Ministry of Labor.

f.  Non-government organizations are required to send information regularly on the number of persons with disabilities hired as employees and workers, the nature of the positions and jobs that they occupy, the salaries and wages they receive, and the reasonable accommodation provided to them

على صندوق التنمية والتشغيل بالتنسيق مع المجلس القيام بما يلي:

1. The Development and Employment Fund will, in coordination with the Council, execute the following:

2. Include into the Fund’s policies, strategies, plans, programs, and services measures guaranteeing persons with disabilities access to them and enabling them to benefit from them on an equal basis with others.
3. Allocate a proportion of soft loans for funding projects for and by persons with disabilities and their families.
4. Provide information related to the Development and Employment Fund’s programs, services, and conditions of use in accessible formats for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
5. Involve Disabled People’s Organizations and Local Community Organizations in designing and implementing projects and programs to fight poverty and increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

1. and institutions along with nursery homes on the basis of, or because of, disability.
2. It is forbidden to admit persons with disabilities into day-care or homes or shelters without obtaining their free and informed consent, according to the provisions of this Law.
3. The Ministry of Social Development will, in coordination with the Council, execute the following:
   1. Draw up a comprehensive national plan that includes interim and permanent solutions and alternatives in order to transform the government and privately-owned residential institutions.
   2. Transform non-government residential institutions for persons with disabilities into inclusive day-care service entities provided that implementation of this plan will begin no later than one year from the date on which this Law goes into effect and will be completed in ten years’ time at the latest.
4. No licences may be granted for establishing new residential care institutions for persons with disabilities after this Law goes into effect.
5. The Ministry of Social Development will make all nursery homes, care centers and institutions for orphans, juveniles, the elderly, and victims of family violence inclusive of persons with disabilities through providing reasonable accommodation and accessible formats along with accessibility

1. Without undermining the provisions of both clauses: (c) and (d) of Article (27) of this Law, the government and non-government authorities that provide residential care, day and rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities will execute the following:
   1. Implement the service quality standards issued by the Council along with the work-related standards and constraints on the part of these authorities issued by the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Labor.
   2. Conduct physical and psychological examination and educational assessments regularly on persons with disabilities admitted to these organizations at least on a quarterly basis, and inform their guardians and inspection teams stipulated in Item (4) of this Clause on the results thereof.
   3. Provide devices and techniques allowing for monitoring the conditions of persons with disabilities admitted to these organizations including the installation of cameras equipped with audio recording systems in different facilities with the exception of bedrooms and toilets. These organizations may not be licensed except after meeting this condition, and organizations licensed before this Law went into effect should rectify their conditions in no later than three months from the date on which this Law went into effect, according to instructions to be issued by the Minister of Social Development.
   4. Enable the monitoring, inspection and assessment teams sponsored, licensed or approved by the Ministry of Social Development or Ministry of Education or Ministry of Health or the Council or the National Center for Human Rights to enter these organizations at any time and see the progress of work therein, and also see the conditions of the persons admitted to them.
   5. Enable the families and relatives of persons with disabilities to enter these organizations at any time to visit them.
2. It is incumbent upon any individual working in teaching, education, rehabilitation, therapy or in a supervisory capacity at a residential care institution, center or institution for persons with disabilities to meet the following conditions:
   1. To have an academic university degree in special education, social services, psychology, educational or psychological counseling or any other specialization related to the nature of work for which he or she is responsible.
   2. To pass the training and rehabilitation courses which the Council designs and implements in coordination with the relevant authorities.
   3. To undergo an assessment process regularly according to conditions determined by the Council in coordination with the relevant authorities.
3. Inspection, monitoring, and assessment groups cited in Item (4) of Clause (a) of this Article are required to document the results of their visits and recommend to the competent authorities to take the necessary action in case of infraction of the relevant standards and constraints stipulated in this Law, and make notification on any suspected case of violence, abuse, or negligence perpetrated against any person with a disability.
4. Violation of standards and constraints stipulated in both Clauses (a, b) of this Article shall lead to imperative closure of the violating organization either temporarily or permanently according to the decision made by the Minister of Social Development

It is incumbent upon the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Health, each according to its expertise, and in coordination with the Council to execute the following:

1. Include into the strategies and plans for poverty alleviation and welfare of families, children, women, the elderly, and juveniles, measures guaranteeing the inclusion of persons with disabilities into their components, activities, and programs.
2. Enable persons with disabilities and their families to undertake small and medium enterprises and productive projects by having access to local credit funds and services, and in accordance with existing applicable terms and conditions.
3. Encourage independent-living and self-reliance skills on the part of persons with disabilities by providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling programs and training on life skills, art of mobility and movement, and behavioral modification.
4. Reinforce the concept of the personal assistant for persons with disabilities and encourage voluntary organizations to implement such a concept within their programs and activities.
5. Provide programs intended to improve social skill capacity development for families of persons with disabilities, and deliver training on how to gain access to services available and on the health-care techniques including the importance of early detection and intervention in case of disability.
6. Provide physical, psychological, social and vocational rehabilitation services in close proximity to where persons with disabilities and their families are living, and render these places accessible to persons with disabilities.
7. Provide early detection programs and licensing thereof according to regulations stipulated by the Minister of Social Development.
8. Design and implement a comprehensive alternative care program for persons with disabilities who are victims of violence, taking into consideration the general principles indicated in Article (4) of this Law.
9. Provide psychological, social, and health support services including rehabilitation and therapy of various types to persons with disabilities who are victims of violence and exploitation.
10. Provide programs on prevention and detection of violence, and deliver training on the mechanism and methods of reporting on incidents of violence for persons with disabilities, including children, women, the elderly, persons with intellectual disabilities, and persons with mental health disabilities and their families.
11. Train and prepare specialized personnel to detect cases of violence and how to handle such cases in different stages.

1. An act of violence (in regards to persons with disabilities) is defined as an action or a denial that will deprive a person with a disability of a certain right or freedom, or one that will restrict his/her practice of either right or freedom, or will undermine his/her physical integrity, or will inflict mental and/or psychological harm to the person with a disability on the basis of, or because of, disability.
2. Whoever knows about a case of violence perpetrated against a person with a disability must inform the competent authorities.
3. The competent judicial authorities will provide protection needed for informers, witnesses, journalists and others who detect or report cases of violence perpetrated against persons with disabilities, or those who prepare investigative reports or investigations thereon through the following:
   1. Disclose no information related to their identity and whereabouts.
   2. Allow them to testify and deliver statements and reports through the use of modern technical devices to guarantee their safety.
   3. Shield them in the workplace from all types of discrimination or foul treatment.
   4. Take any measure or necessary action to guarantee their safety.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior each according to their area of expertise, in coordination with the Council, will execute the following:

1. Include into different policies, strategies, plans, and programs of relevance measures guaranteeing practice by persons with disabilities of their right to litigation, on an equal basis with others, either as plaintiffs or defendants or witnesses.
2. Qualify certified experts for facilitating communication with persons with disabilities in investigation and litigation phases, and circulate the names of these experts to judicial authorities and police centers, after granting them a practitioner’s licence according to instructions to be issued for this purpose by the Council, provided that among the experts there will be:

1. Sign-language interpreters specialized in interpreting legal terminology.
2. Special Education experts to communicate with persons with intellectual disabilities.
3. Experts to facilitate communication with persons who are deafblind.

3. Render all courts, security centers, correction and rehabilitation centers, and places of detention fully accessible in no later than (5) years from the date on which this Law goes into effect, and to take suitable alternative measures for persons with disabilities if necessary, and provide accessible vehicles for transporting both detainees and convicted felons.
4. Provide training for personnel including judges and judicial officers on the rights of persons with disabilities and the appropriate methods of communicating effectively with them.
5. Provide information, investigation minutes of meetings, and sessions in accessible formats to persons with disabilities as and when necessary.

1. It is impermissible to exclude a person or restrict a person’s access to any facility providing services to the public, or to restrict a person’s access to information, communication services, and electronic and other services on the basis of, or because of, disability.
2. The Ministry of Public Works and Housing in coordination with the Greater Amman Municipality, the municipalities, and entities considered within their jurisdiction, the Jordanian National Building Commission, the Council, government and non-government organizations of relevance, will execute the following:
   1. Draw up a national plan for the implementation of alterations to buildings, facilities, places of worship, and tourist sites that extend services to the public and that were established before this Law went into effect, for the sake of providing accessibility, provided that implementation of this plan takes place within one year from the date on which this Law goes into effect and will be completed in no later than ten years.
   2. Involve persons with disabilities and their organizations in the drafting of the plans aforementioned in paragraph (1) of this Clause, and in their implementation, and assessment according to the mechanism to be determined for this purpose by the Council.
   3. Issue an annual follow-up report to be submitted to the Council of Ministers indicating the buildings, facilities, places of worship, and tourist sites that were made accessible along with the permanent and temporary alternatives adopted.
3. In implementing the plan stipulated in Clause (b. 1) of this Article, it is necessary to take following points into consideration:
   1. Topographical, engineering, and natural factors and archaeological value of the building or location in question.
   2. Security and safety considerations.
   3. Balancing between the possible advantages and disadvantages that will result from making a building or site accessible.
   4. Any constraints drawn up by the Minister of Public Works and Housing insofar as they are not incommensurate with the provisions of this Law.

1. It is impermissible to endorse or license plans, designs or to grant licences and work permits for public or private buildings or places of worship or tourist locations and other establishments and facilities extending services to the public unless they are fully accessibility.
2.  
   1. The Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Greater Amman Municipality, the municipalities, and entities considered within their jurisdiction, the Jordanian National Building Commission, and the relevant entities, and after this Law goes into effect, will compel all agencies that provide services to the public to make the necessary alterations to their buildings in order to provide accessibility.
   2. If agencies that provide services to the public do not abide by this clause and provide the required accessibility, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Greater Amman Municipality, and relevant authorities will take all necessary measures that will include temporary or permanent closure of those agencies.

The General Civil Defense Department will in coordination with the Council execute the following:

1. Provide emergency, relief, aid, and related information in accessible formats for persons with disabilities.
2. Include into the security and safety instructions issued by the Civil Defense Department the standards related to accessibility.
3. Deliver training to aid and rescue teams in Sign language and on methods for assisting persons with different disabilities in cases of emergency and natural disasters.
4. Deliver training to persons with disabilities and their families on the principles and skills of public safety and first aid.

The Greater Amman Municipality, the Ministry of Municipalities, entities considered within their jurisdiction, the Central Traffic Department and related authorities will, in coordination with the Council, execute the following in (5) years from the date on which this Law has gone into effect:

1. Provide traffic lights with an audio forewarning system that allows persons who are blind and persons with low vision to identify the state of traffic and to cross the road safely.
2. Employ guidance signs that allow persons with disabilities to identify the beginning and end of the pavement, pedestrian bridges, and other road marks.
3. Provide training to working personnel including traffic police on the methods of effective communication with persons with disabilities.
4. Employ barriers and concrete audio-visual guidance signs on dangerous sites such as holes, slopes, building and construction sites, and other sites.
5. Avoid placing protruding items on pavements in a manner that hampers utilization thereof by persons with disabilities and that exposes these persons to danger.
6. Apply accessibility (standards) on all roads and buildings under their jurisdiction.

The Ministry of Transport, Land Transport Regulatory Commission, Greater Amman Municipality, Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission, Licensed Airports Operation Companies, Jordan Ports Corporation, and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone will, each according to its area of competence, in coordination with the Council execute the following in (5) years from the date on which this Law goes into effect:

1. Include into the land, marine, and air transport regulation policies, strategies, plans, and instructions measures that will guarantee providing reasonable accommodations, and accessibility for persons with disabilities within the transport facilities and services.
2. Oblige all public transport companies to make all buses accessible for persons with disabilities, and to allocate two seats for persons with disabilities on public transport buses as necessary.
3. Oblige the public and specialized tourist transport companies to provide accessible vehicles for persons with physical disabilities.
4. Oblige all taxi car companies to provide the driver’s ID Card in accessible formats.
5. Provide reasonable accommodation and accessibility in all airports, seaports, railway and public transport bus stations.
6. Conduct training courses for land, marine, and air transport sector employees on methods of effective communication with the persons with different disabilities.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board will, each according to its area of expertise, and in coordination with the Council execute the following within (5) years from the date on which this Law goes into effect:

1. Include licensing regulations in the tourism profession vis-à-vis standards for accessibility and to monitor the extent to which tourist companies and establishments comply with such standards.
2. Provide reasonable accommodation and accessibility at touristic and archaeological sites to the extent that will enable persons with disabilities to access thereto without undermining the topographical and archaeological nature of the site.
3. Deliver training to personnel working in the field of tourism including tourist guides on methods of effective communication with the persons with different disabilities.
4. Provide illustrative models in accessible formats simulating the archaeological features that are not accessible and recognizable to persons with disabilities.
5. Provide bulletins, publications, and information in accessible formats at all touristic and archaeological sites.

The Ministry of Culture will, in coordination with the Council, execute the following within (5) years from the date on which this Law goes into effect: 

1. Include into the cultural strategies, plans, and programs measures enabling persons with disabilities to have access to cultural programs, activities, and facilities and to benefit from them.
2. Provide books, periodicals, bulletins and other publications issued or funded by the Ministry of Culture in accessible formats.
3. Implement accessibility in centers, theatres, and cultural palaces, public libraries, and other cultural facilities.
4. Deliver training to workers in the cultural sector on methods of effective communication with persons with disabilities.

1. Persons with disabilities have the right to acquire oral or written notifications, or records, or statistics, or written documents, photographs or recordings, or any electronically archived material or otherwise, and in accessible formats in accordance with the provisions of the Access to Information Law.
2.  
   1. Literary, artistic, and other classifications may be transformed into accessible formats in order to allow persons with disabilities to access and use such classifications for cultural and teaching purposes.
   2. It is impermissible to obtain any amount of money in return for transforming the classifications indicated in  item (1) of this Clause into an accessible format except insofar as the transformation costs are concerned.
   3. Public libraries, universities, government and non-government authorities that have websites open to everyone are required to make those websites accessible to persons with disabilities according to international standards and any other standards issued or approved by the Council.
   4. Both of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology and the telecommunications companies licensed in the Kingdom are required to include in their strategies, plans and program measures guaranteeing access for persons with disabilities to their services and to benefit from these services.

The Media Commission, Association of Journalists, the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation, official and unofficial media and press corporations will, each according to their area of competence and in coordination with the Council, execute the following:

1. Include into their media strategies issues that will promote the rights of persons with disabilities, and to adopt policies for editing language and terminology that will uphold non-discrimination and full respect for persons with disabilities and their inherent dignity.
2. Include regulations for the granting and renewing of different licences including the licensing of websites- according to the standards and constraints approved internationally or by the Council and that allow persons with disabilities to have access to journalistic and media-related information and materials.
3. Deliver training to journalists and others working in the media sector on mechanisms for positive portrayals to issues related to persons with disabilities in order to ensure awareness of their rights and to eliminate the prevalent social stereotypical perceptions of such persons.
4. Strengthen the capacities of persons with disabilities and their organizations in the field of public media and communication to raise awareness of their rights and issues and change the widespread negative attitudes towards disability.
5. Apply accessibility (standards) to buildings and premises of journalism and media in (5) years from the date on which this Law goes into effect.

The Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, the Councils of Churches and other official and national religious authorities will in coordination with the Council execute the following:

1. Direct religious discourse in a manner that will promote the rights of persons with disabilities and their acceptance as part of human diversity and humanity.
2. Revise the religious curricula in coordination with the Ministry of Education and include into them model topics and practices consolidating the culture of diversity and respect for the rights of persons with disabilities and their inherent dignity.
3. Combat the stereotypical images and faulty perceptions of persons with disabilities.
4. Include persons with disabilities and their organizations in the revision and modification of provisions of legislation that pertain to personal status and legal capacity.
5. Deliver training to personnel working in religious affairs on the culture of diversity, rights of the persons with disabilities, and methods of effective communication with them.
6. Provide interpretation into Sign language of speeches, lessons, and sermons in mosques and churches wherever necessary, and also provide religious publications and bulletins in accessible formats.

1. clubs, or restrict his/her right to the exercise of sports, on the basis of, or because of, disability.
2. The Jordan Olympic Committee and related authorities will execute the following in (5) years from the date on which this Law goes into effect:
3. Include into sports strategies and plans measures that will guarantee the involvement of persons with disabilities in the different sports programs and activities.
4. Introduce different sports that persons with disabilities may practice in sports clubs, centers, and federations, and provide these sports in adaptive form to ensure the full inclusion of these persons into these clubs, centers, and federations.
5. Ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in different sports competitions.
6. Making alterations to public sporting places by providing accessibility and reasonable accommodation.

1. It is impermissible to exclude a person or restrict a person’s access to banking and credit services on the basis of, or because of, disability.
   1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other legislation, both banks and credit companies will execute the following:
   2. Provide banking services, information and data to persons with disabilities in accessible formats, and guarantee respect for their right to privacy and the confidentiality of their accounts on an equal basis with others.
   3. Approval for signature by persons with visual disabilities through handwritten signature, stamp, or e-fingerprint on bank transactions without a witness as a condition. The person with a disability admits knowledge and awareness of the transaction content and procedures if he or she signs through handwritten signature, stamp or e-fingerprint provided that the bank transactions performed by persons with visual and hearing disabilities will be documented audio-visually and will be made accessible to them.
   4. Keep the documented banking transactions as stipulated by item (2) of this Clause for (6) months, and objection to any transaction shall not be accepted after the lapse of this period.
   5. Apply accessibility (standards) in banking buildings and facilities in order to allow persons with disabilities to have access to and benefit from the services provided by them.
   6. Deliver training to the personnel working in the banking sector on the methods of effective communication with persons with disabilities for the purpose of providing such services easily and smoothly.
2. The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) will monitor implementation of the provisions included in this Article, in accordance with instructions to be issues for this purpose.

1. Taking into account the provisions of legislation in effect, it is impermissible to deprive a person or restrict a person’s right to vote or to run as a candidate in parliamentary, municipal, trade union or any other general election on the basis of, or because of, disability.
2. According to instructions it will issue for this purpose and in coordination with the relevant authorities, the Independent Elections Commission will enable persons with disabilities to exercise their electoral right secretly and independently by providing reasonable accommodation and accessibility, including in voting centers and the provision of Sign language interpreters, and to enable persons with disabilities to vote through their escorts.
3. It is impermissible to deprive a person or to restrict a person’s right to join trade unions, political parties, and (civil society) organizations on the basis of, or because of, disability.

The Department of Statistics, will, in coordination with the Council, execute the following in one year from the date on which this Law goes into effect:

1. Include into its policies, strategies, plans, and programs measures that will guarantee the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
2. Conduct specialised surveys and statistics on persons with disabilities, and include in questionnaires and forms used in the General Population Census items that will indicate the number of persons with disabilities, their geographical distribution, sex, age groups, type, degree and nature of their disabilities.
3. Create a comprehensive database on persons with disabilities, and enable the authorities -concerned with their rights, issues, and services provided to them- to view such database provided that their right to privacy is not compromised.

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other legislation, the following are exempt from all types of fees and taxes-including customs duties, general sales tax, special tax, stamp revenue fees, building and property tax, “musaqafat”, and real estate registration fees, and any other taxes or optimization returns:
   1. Reasonable accommodation designed to be used by persons with disabilities or their organizations or societies and centers, clubs, schools and programs which provide services to them.
   2. Buses designed for transporting (9) or more individuals with disabilities enrolled in non-profit societies, centers, and clubs licensed according to legislation in effect.
2. Upon a recommendation by the Council, the Council of Ministers will issue a matrix indicating the reasonable accommodation stipulated in Item (1) of the Clause (a) of this Article.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other legislation, one vehicle allocated for use by a person with a disability shall be exempted from the customs duties, general sales tax, special tax, stamp revenue fees, and any other taxes , according to the following constraints:
   1. The applicant for exemption must be an ID Card holder.
   2. The exempted vehicle must be used for the sake of the beneficiary alone; violations therefore will be subject to liability.
   3. The person applying for an exemption must not have previously received a similar exemption by virtue of any other legislation.
4. The procedures and specifications for granting the exemptions specified in Clause (c) of this Article, along with the means of vehicle exchange will be determined by virtue of a set of regulations issued for this purpose.

1. The Council will have an independent annual budget to be submitted to the Council of Ministers for endorsement.
2. The Council’s fiscal year begins on the 1^st January and ends on the 31^st December of the same year.
3. The Council’s resources will consist of the following:
   1. Amounts allocated by the State Budget.
   2. Grants, donations, and aid provided that they are approved by the Council of Ministers if they are gifted from a non-Jordanian source.
   3. 10% of net profits of the Jordan Charity Lottery issued by the General Union of Voluntary Societies.

A

1. Without undermining any severer punishment in any other legislation, punishment comprised of imprisonment for no more than one year along with a fine of no more than One Thousand Dinars, or both punishments, shall be inflicted on whoever perpetrates a form of violence stipulated in Clause (a) of Article (30) of this Law.

2.  Punishment stipulated for in the previous clause shall be doubled in case of repetition.

B    Anyone who violates the provisions of clause (e) of Article (25) of this Law shall pay a fine of not less than  Three Thousand Dinars and no more than Five Thousand Dinars, and same punishment shall be inflicted on whoever refuses to employ a person on the basis of, or because of, disability.

The Council is recognized as the legal successor of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities that was established in accordance with the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Number (31) for the Year 2007, and the Council is now the new holder of all the rights, assets and responsibilities that previously belonged to the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities.

The Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (31) for the Year 2007 is duly repealed, provided that the regulations and instructions by virtue of such Law continue to remain in force, until cancelled or replaced by new regulations borne out of this Law.

The Council of Ministers will formulate the regulations necessary to execute the provisions of this Law.

The Prime Minister and the Ministers are entrusted with the implementing the provisions of this Law.