Amman: HH Prince Mired bin Raad, Chief Chamberlain and President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), and Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abul Samen on Sunday discussed mechanisms to implement the national plan to bring public buildings and facilities in line with accessibility standards for persons with disabilities.
According to Jordan News Agency, Prince Mired emphasized the importance of advancing disability rights and progressing with the plan on clear timelines to achieve tangible results. He highlighted that enabling access to public buildings is a constitutional and legal right, urging greater coordination among government bodies and the integration of universal design principles in planning and construction sectors to foster inclusive and safe urban environments for all.
Minister Abul Samen reiterated the ministry’s full commitment to the plan, stating that ensuring inclusive and safe infrastructure aligns with government priorities, royal directives, national legislation, and international conventions on disability rights. He mentioned that the ministry is collaborating with stakeholders, particularly the HCD, to apply accessibility standards in public buildings, especially those providing direct services to citizens. The ministry’s annual plan includes upgrading its directorates and offices across the governorates to meet accessibility requirements, with a budget allocation of JD150,000.
Abul Samen further noted that all new designs prepared by the ministry or in collaboration with consulting firms will incorporate accessibility standards. Existing buildings will be upgraded gradually under a comprehensive execution plan that sets priorities, allocates funds, and ensures compliance with specifications. The ministry will also work with the Jordan Engineers Association and the Offices and Engineering Companies Authority to enforce compliance with disability building codes, making it a condition for project approval and licensing.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from both sides, involved discussions on reviewing designs, updating national building codes, and embedding inclusive design standards in technical regulations. Both parties agreed to establish a joint technical committee to monitor the implementation of the national plan, set urgent intervention priorities, and prepare regular progress reports with recommendations.