Support for persons with disabilities highlighted

TDT | Manama

A virtual high-level meeting to support persons with disabilities during COVID-19 in the Arab Region was held yesterday. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development (MLSD) assistant undersecretary for social care and rehabilitation, Shaikha Aisha bint Ali Al Khalifa, participated in the meeting which was organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in cooperation with the Arab League and the Arab Organisation for Persons with Disabilities (AOPD).

Shaikha Aisha highlighted Bahrain’s efforts to care for and protect about 12,000 persons with disabilities during the unprecedented global circumstances. She added that the MLSD is providing a monthly allowance of BD100, distance learning and training, and other supportive services and programmes.

A total of 1,562 students with special needs have benefited from the services offered by six government-funded rehabilitation centres, 15 local centres run by civil society organisations, to which the Labour Ministry grants BD1,200 million annually, and 18 private centres, said the Assistant Undersecretary.

She also highlighted MLSD projects implemented in partnership with NGOs, the Interior Ministry and the Information and e-Government Authority (iGA). The virtual meeting was attended by Arab League representatives and the United Nations Secretary-General’s special envoy on disability and accessibility.

It aimed to enhance coordination with various partners and governments on addressing the pandemic’s impact on persons with disabilities. It also aimed to identify national initiatives and provide a learning platform to share global experiences and practices adopted to address the pandemic and its health, social and economic impacts on persons with disabilities.

The participants explored ways to develop a road map for the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities and prevent their isolation from society.