Amman, Aug. 12 (Petra) — Access to employment for persons with
disabilities involves more than securing a job, requiring
psychological and vocational preparation, training and skills
development, as well as workplaces that provide the necessary
conditions for inclusion and economic independence.

Some persons with disabilities face difficulties accessing employment
information and training, limited suitable job opportunities and
workplaces that are not adequately prepared. They may also experience
psychological and social challenges related to disability,
particularly those who acquire disabilities later in life.

Petra reviewed employment opportunities for persons with disabilities
through the experience of a new digital platform aimed at supporting
their preparation and economic empowerment, alongside perspectives on
some of the challenges they face in accessing the labor market.

Sara Abu Ali, an activist in disability rights, said her work in
inclusion and her experience in providing psychological support
highlighted the need for a pathway combining psychological support,
vocational preparation, training and access to employment. She
subsequently launched the “Rasan” platform to provide these services
through one digital platform.

Speaking to Petra, Abu Ali said Rasan is registered as a nonprofit
company and seeks to support persons with disabilities in developing
their own businesses, while also providing psychological and
vocational preparation.

The platform offers three main services: specialized psychological
support sessions, entrepreneurship training, and support for
companies in making workplaces more inclusive and accessible. It also
provides opportunities to connect persons with disabilities with
companies interested in hiring them.

Abu Ali said the psychological support sessions are delivered by
qualified specialists with disabilities. They focus on helping
beneficiaries adjust to and accept their disabilities, particularly
those who acquired disabilities later in life, as well as addressing
social and family challenges and supporting relationship-building.

She described psychological stability as an initial step toward
empowerment, followed by training, employment or establishing a
private business.

Entrepreneurship training covers developing business ideas, preparing
budgets, market analysis, marketing and brand development. Rasan also
works with private companies on workplace accessibility and
inclusion, including reasonable accommodations and accessibility
measures, as well as training employees on interacting with persons
with disabilities.

Regarding financing, Abu Ali said Rasan plans to allocate part of the
revenue from services provided to private companies to support viable
projects run by persons with disabilities. It is also seeking
partnerships and funding sources to support such projects.

She said accessibility and independence were considered in designing
the platform, allowing persons with disabilities to register and
access information and services independently. The website includes
features such as screen-reader compatibility, sign language, text
enlargement, increased contrast, and controls for movement and visual
effects.

Abu Ali said the platform aims to help persons with disabilities take
initial steps toward employment by providing support, information and
guidance to identify suitable pathways, whether through their own
businesses or employment.

She added that she hopes to expand the platform to reach more persons
with disabilities in Jordan and abroad, with beneficiaries
contributing to its development.

Disability rights activist Ahmad Abu Rayan said specialized platforms
and initiatives are important for providing integrated pathways that
include psychological preparation, peer support, confidence-building
and preparation for entering the labor market. He said the impact of
such initiatives is linked to their ability to connect beneficiaries
with actual employment and income-generating opportunities.

Fatima Hassan, a public speaking, presentation and media training
coach, said empowerment platforms should go beyond connecting persons
with employers by providing specialized practical and technical
training, opportunities to gain experience and support for accessible
workplaces. This would help ensure that persons with disabilities are
given professional roles based on competence and equal opportunity.

Access to the labor market indicates that economic empowerment for
persons with disabilities requires more than training or employment
opportunities. It also depends on access to information, preparation
and experience, as well as workplaces that enable them to exercise
their right to work, achieve independence and participate in society.

//Petra//WH