Amman, Dec. 3 (Petra) — As Jordan intensifies efforts to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities across all areas of life, media institutions are emerging as key partners in raising public awareness and highlighting the rights and issues of this community.

A report issued by the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, says Jordanian media outlets have shown clear commitment to professional standards that support inclusion. It notes the strong presence of national media institutions that have set an example in covering disability-related issues and producing specialized content that promotes fairness and equal opportunity.

The Jordan News Agency (Petra) has been among the most prominent national media institutions prioritizing issues related to persons with disabilities. The agency has consistently covered activities and events relevant to this group and addressed their concerns comprehensively. Petra maintains a monthly average of around 13 published items, including news reports, features and other journalistic formats.

In recent months, Petra published 124 stories covering activities and events involving persons with disabilities, including six investigative or follow-up pieces and specialist reports highlighting their role in society. One month alone saw 21 published items. The agency also employs journalists with disabilities, who competed for their positions alongside other applicants.

Former Minister of Government Communications Faisal Shboul said Jordan, guided by the state’s responsibility toward its citizens and continuous Royal directives to successive governments and civil society institutions particularly the National Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities has long been a leader in supporting persons with disabilities. He noted that legislation and regulations guarantee this group the highest levels of care and ensure their right to fair access to the labor market.

Shboul said Petra, in line with this national direction and on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, has appointed several employees with disabilities in both its editorial and administrative divisions. Many have excelled, and some have risen to leadership roles within the agency.

He added that Petra has consistently been at the forefront of media institutions committed to professional coverage of national issues, particularly those affecting groups most in need of support, including children, gender-related issues and persons with disabilities.

Shboul noted that government institutions have implemented the decision to allocate a percentage of new jobs to persons with disabilities, with several entities even exceeding the mandated quota by hiring more. He described this as a mark of Jordan’s human-centered and progressive leadership.

Former Secretary-General of the Ministry of Public Sector Development and legal expert Abdullah Mohammad Al-Qudah told Petra that legislative and regulatory frameworks in public administration have strengthened opportunities for persons with disabilities to join the workforce and secure fair employment opportunities, in line with principles of justice and equal opportunity.

He said the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law No. 20 of 2017 marked a turning point for this community. The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in hiring, promotion or training and emphasizes the need to provide “reasonable accommodation” in the workplace, enabling employees with disabilities to perform their duties without imposing undue burdens on institutions.

Al-Qudah said the law also requires institutions to adapt workplaces, government facilities and job functions to suit different types of disabilities while protecting the career paths of employees.

He noted that the Public Sector Human Resources Bylaw further strengthened access to government jobs by allocating a percentage of vacancies to persons with disabilities and introducing facilitative measures in competitive exams and interviews. These include providing support personnel, sign-language interpretation and assessment methods tailored to the nature of the disability. The bylaw also obliges government entities to recognize disability reports issued by the Higher Council as the official reference to prevent misinterpretation or misuse.

In line with this policy, Al-Qudah said several persons with disabilities have been appointed at Petra over the past three years. Legislation has placed direct responsibilities on government institutions to support workplace inclusion, such as establishing units to ensure accessibility standards either independently or within human resources teams integrating inclusion and development programs for employees with disabilities into institutional plans, and preventing bullying or discrimination in the work environment.

He added that the HCD monitors government institutions through regular follow-up, ensuring compliance with legal standards, evaluating workplace accommodations and guiding institutions that fall short of the required measures.

Al-Qudah said Jordan’s laws and regulations form an integrated protection system that has expanded employment opportunities, prevented discrimination and helped create inclusive work environments that support continuity and career growth. This, he added, reinforces public administration’s commitment to justice, equality and equal opportunity, in line with international conventions, particularly the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

//Petra// AF
03/12/2025 20:56:16