Representatives of NGOs: Decree No. 19 strengthened the position of civil society in dealing with the issue of people with disabilities

Damascus- Legislative Decree No. 19 on the rights of persons with disabilities focused in its articles on providing support to non-governmental organizations and civil society in a way that contributes to enhancing support for persons with disabilities through the provision of aids to them, involving them in cultural and educational and empowerment activities, and promoting their integration into society.

In a statement to SANA, the head of ” Roots” Association Kholoud Rajab said that the decree aims to strengthen the position of civil society in dealing with this category, and to make the issue of dealing with persons with disabilities a public and national issue involving all governmental and non-governmental institutions.

It created prospects for cooperation and partnership between Public and private sectors, parents and people with disabilities themselves to promote this matter, pointing out that the decree has created a state of satisfaction among people with disabilities and their  families that the state cares about their affairs and needs.

Maher Mahmoud Agha, director general of the “Sada specialized center for speech and language rehabilitation”, explained that the decree is a major shift in the mechanism of working with people with disabilities, as the services have been expanded to reach families with one or more people with disabilities.

Mahmoud Agha pointed out that the decree focused on increasing vocational rehabilitation centers for people with disabilities while ensuring their participation in voting and candidacy and providing benefits and facilities to those who contribute to securing work for them.

Amal Farhat